A striking mid-century modernist abstract composition, painted in oil onto canvas by the established Swedish painter Hans Osswald (1919-1983), whose works have been exhibited at the National Museum in Stockholm, Malmö Museum as well as The Brooklyn Museum.

This abstract painting is anchored by a central, organic form that hovers between figuration and pure gesture. Suggestive of a standing presence, the shape emerges from a richly layered ground, inviting interpretation without resolving into a fixed identity. The composition feels both grounded and dynamic, as if capturing a fleeting moment of movement or emotional intensity.

The style reflects the expressive confidence of mid-century abstraction, where the artist prioritises form, colour, and texture over literal representation. There is a palpable sense of spontaneity, balanced by a careful orchestration of space and mass.

A bold palette dominates the canvas: deep vermilion and burnt sienna create a warm, immersive backdrop, while passages of mustard yellow and soft terracotta build the central form. A striking vertical of black introduces contrast and structural tension, offset by a lighter, almost chalky white that breaks through the composition and adds luminosity. Flecks of cobalt blue and hints of green peek through in places, lending vibrancy and subtle complexity.

The brushwork is varied and tactile: thick, impasto applications sit alongside scraped and dragged passages, revealing layers beneath. Broad, gestural strokes convey immediacy, while areas of stippling and dry-brush texture add depth and rhythm. The surface carries a physical presence, with paint built up and worked back, embodying the artist’s process in every mark.

This oil on canvas is presented in a complementary frame with a brushed gold finish. The painting has some areas of craquelure, consistent with age, which remain stable and do not detract from the visual impact. The frame has light scuffing and minor areas of surface loss.

Size: 83 x 58 cm (including frame)

A striking mid-century composition that presents a rhythmic display of abstracted figures moving through a fractured, almost mosaic-like landscape, executed in oil onto canvas by Swedish artist Gunnar Greiber (1919 – 2011), whose works have been exhibited in public collections including the Moderna Museet, Västerås Art Museum, Sundsvall Museum, Östersund Museum, Hudiksvall Museum, as well as the Hälsingland Museum.

Slender, linear forms – rendered in vivid red- suggest human silhouettes, gathering across a dense field of angular shapes. These figures feel both primitive and modern, evoking a sense of movement and quiet connectivity within an otherwise chaotic environment.

Stylistically, the painting leans into mid-century abstraction with strong influences of cubism and figurative modernism. The scene is constructed from interlocking geometric planes, compressing depth and perspective into a flattened, dynamic surface. The figures are reduced to essential lines and nodes, almost symbolic in nature, contrasting sharply with the weightier, block-like forms that surround them.

The colour palette is rich and earthy, dominated by deep reds, burgundy, plum, and umber, interspersed with cooler passages of slate blue, charcoal, and muted lavender. Occasional accents of green and pale cream provide visual relief, while the recurring red linear figures create a unifying thread across the composition.

Brushstrokes are confident and expressive, with visible texture throughout. Paint is applied in thick, deliberate patches, giving each geometric fragment a tactile presence. The interplay between matte and slightly more saturated passages enhances the sense of depth, despite the overall flattened structure. The result is a compelling balance between order and spontaneity – an intricate visual rhythm that invites the eye to wander and discover new relationships within the composition.

This oil on canvas is presented in an elegant wood frame with a linen-lined outer border and an inner gilt window. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition. 

Size: 78 x 59 cm (including frame)