At the Counter
£1,050Available
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A large and compelling mid century modernist abstract figurative composition in oil, painted onto board by 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.
The scene captures three stylised figures possibly engaged in an exchange at the checkout – a familiar ritual rendered with striking simplicity and emotional weight.
The central figure, dressed in black, appears to be a shopper in mid-transaction, while the figure in pale blue behind the counter suggests a cashier. A third, more ambiguously defined figure stands nearby, perhaps another customer or a child. The figures are abstracted, skilfully reduced to essential shapes.
Thick impasto brushstrokes and rich textural layering give the work a tactile presence. The palette is earthy and architectural – orange, muted greens, brick reds, and cool greys – punctuated by flashes of white, lemon yellow, and cobalt blue, adding moments of vibrancy to the otherwise grounded tones.
The composition is rhythmic and architectural, with geometric planes converging to form an abstracted treatment of space and perspective. The flattened forms and overlapping fields of colour speak to the artist’s modernist sensibility — elevating the ordinary to the iconic.
This oil on board is housed in a complementary wood frame with an inner linen lining. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some scuffing.
Size: 86.5 x 71.5 cm (including frame)
Free domestic (UK) shipping. As this artwork is very large, it is unlikely that we will be able to ship it internationally. If you are very interested and are located outside of the UK, please contact us and we will see what we can do.
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