Threshold of Presence

A compelling mid-century abstract figurative composition in which a solitary standing figure gradually emerges from an energetic arrangement of colour and gesture, executed in oil onto board by the established Swedish artist Gunnar Johnsson (1917–2007), whose artworks have represented in public collections including the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Sweden, the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, and the Skåne Art Association.

Rather than defining the subject through precise outlines, the artist allows broad planes of paint and carefully balanced negative space to suggest the human form, inviting the viewer to complete the narrative through observation. The result is both expressive and contemplative, capturing presence through abstraction rather than detail.

Executed in a distinctly mid-century modernist style, the painting balances gestural abstraction with figurative suggestion. Large geometric passages and painterly forms create a dynamic architectural rhythm. The work is confident, and every mark contributes to the overall harmony of shape, balance and movement.

The palette is rich and sophisticated, combining deep burgundy and rust with warm ivory, chocolate brown and charcoal black. Accents of blue-green provide striking contrast, introducing depth and visual tension against the warmer earth tones. The interplay of dark and light passages gives the composition both weight and luminosity.

Brushwork is bold, expressive and highly tactile. Broad palette-knife passages sit alongside dry-brushed textures and confidently loaded strokes, revealing the physicality of the artist’s process. Areas of opaque paint contrast with lightly scumbled surfaces, allowing underlying layers to subtly emerge and enriching the painting with texture, movement and a strong sense of material presence.

This oil on board is presented in a complementary wood frame with a warm gilt finish.  silver frame. Both the painting and frame are in very good vintage condition.

Size: 83 x 63 cm (including frame)