Katsura – Harmonie noire et verte

Katsura — Harmonie noire et verte is a tapestry by Bernard Cathelin, woven by Atelier 3 in Paris. The work reflects his distinctive approach to composition, where color, structure, and atmosphere are reduced to a restrained and deliberate language.

The composition is built on a deep black ground that functions as an active field rather than a background. It creates a sense of depth that allows the other elements to emerge with clarity, giving the surface a quiet but sustained presence in the room they are existing in.

Interrupting this field is a band of green, with the pale trunks of trees and yellow flowers showing from outside. The beige form on the right suggests the Japanese style sliding door, while the figure on the left peers outside into the sunlit foliage.

The palette is intentionally limited. Variations within the greens create subtle shifts in tone, producing a surface that feels layered without relying on overt contrast. These transitions are gradual, encouraging a slower reading of the work.

The woven execution reinforces these qualities. The surface retains a softness that slightly diffuses the edges, allowing the composition to feel continuous rather than segmented.

Katsura demonstrates Cathelin’s ability to construct an image through restraint. Reduced in palette and form, the work relies on proportion, placement, and tone to create a composition that is both minimal and deeply atmospheric.