Figure in Constructed Room

A very striking mid-century modern composition that presents a pared-back interior scene distilled into bold geometry and quiet symbolism, executed in oil onto canvas and dated 1957 by the estalished Swedish artist Bertil Berntsson (1921-2002), whose works have been exhibited at the Modern Art Museum in Stockholm, Ystad Art Museum, Malmö Museum, and the Helsingborg City Museum, to name a few.

At the centre stands a simplified elongated female figure that has been rendered with minimal contour yet carrying a strong, sculptural presence. Beside her, a cylindrical vessel or drum-like form anchors the composition, its solidity contrasting with the openness of the surrounding space.

The setting is constructed through intersecting planes and architectural lines, suggesting walls, windows, or partitions without fully resolving into a literal interior. This ambiguity lends the work a contemplative quality – where figure and object coexist in a suspended, silent dialogue.

Stylistically, the painting reflects mid-century modernist influences, drawing on elements of abstraction and cubist structure. Thick, deliberate black outlines define the forms, creating a graphic framework that flattens perspective while guiding the eye across the composition. The restrained palette features soft creams, muted greys, and a gentle teal-blue panel, balanced by deeper blacks and earthy browns. These colours are applied in broad, even fields, with subtle tonal shifts that add depth without disrupting the overall calm.

The brushwork is confident, largely smooth and controlled, with occasional visible strokes and dry-brush textures that lend a tactile quality to the surface. The result is a harmonious interplay between line, form, and colour.

This oil on canvas is presented in a simple wood frame that complements the earthy palette of the work. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition. 

Size: 41.5 x 56.5 cm (including frame)