Portraits – Page 4 – The Discerning Palette

Showing 91–120 of 321 results

The Lonely Diner

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An emotive mid-century figurative composition, executed in oil onto canvas and dated 1962.

The focal point of the painting is a lonesome figure, dressed entirely in black, seated alone by a table, seemingly in anticipation of a meal. The background is awash with expressive brushstrokes in a deep, dark turquoise hue, evoking a sense of emotional depth and intensity.

Through the interplay of expressive brushwork and rich colours, the painting poignantly conveys the profound emotional state of the solitary figure, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the contemplative atmosphere of the scene.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary slim wood frame. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 63 x 48 cm (including frame)

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Astrid

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A brilliantly executed and emotive mid-century modernist style figurative composition that presents a contemplative nude figure, executed in oil onto canvas and dated 1960.

The figure, constructed through broad angular planes and softened edges, is seated in a relaxed pose, one leg bent and the torso subtly twisted – creating a gentle rhythm that guides the viewer’s gaze through the composition.

Executed in a restrained yet warm palette of ochre, sienna, and earthy umber, the body is set against a backdrop of powder blue, grey, and dusty taupe. This juxtaposition of warm and cool tones imbues the painting with both emotional tension and visual calm.

The brushwork is expressive but controlled, with textured applications of paint that oscillate between opaque coverage and dry-brush translucency, revealing the wood grain beneath. There’s a tactile quality to the strokes – layered, scraped, and directional – that accentuates the structural anatomy of the figure while maintaining abstraction.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary slim wood frame. The painting’s surface exhibits areas of craquelure, consistent with age. While the paint layer remains stable across most of the canvas, there is some instability noted in the central section beneath the figure’s chest. The frame is in good vintage condition.

Size: 82.5 x 68.5 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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Figure in a Carriage

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An evocative semi-abstract mid-century modernist figurative painting executed in oil onto canvas by Swedish artist Eric Elfvén (1921–2008), whose works have been exhibited in public collections including the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Jönköping Museum, Borås Art Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The composition captures the fleeting impression of a lone passenger illuminated by an unseen light source- perhaps the outside world glimpsed through a carriage window.

The painting is semi-abstract, with blocks of textured pigment forming the suggestion of a figure framed by architectural shapes that recall the interior of a carriage.

The palette is a masterful interplay of deep browns, blackened greens, and oxblood reds, punctuated by soft corals, pale peach, and a sliver of white that slices the darkness like a beam of light. Heavy impasto brushwork adds physical depth, while the confident horizontal and vertical strokes convey the structure of motion and confinement.

There’s a poetic stillness to the work – an intimate moment caught in transit, abstracted through modernist sensibility yet rich in narrative potential.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary gilt frame. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 36.5 x 52.5 cm (including frame)

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The Net Menders

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An evocative mid-century modernist landscape composition with figures, executed in oil onto canvas.

The painting captures a quiet scene where two figures are engaged in the timeless ritual of mending nets. Rendered in broad, confident brushstrokes, the composition emphasises form and rhythm over detail, evoking a sense of labor and community grounded in place.

The artist employs a muted yet expressive palette: yellows and orange dominate the foreground, while greys, greens and blues define the sky and background. A bold block of red – a hut—anchors the composition to the right, adding architectural structure to the looser figurative forms. The figures themselves are stylised, almost abstract, with simplified forms, allowing posture and gesture to tell the story.

Expressive and directional brushwork lend energy to the piece, particularly in the sweeping green lines of the fishing net, which leads the viewer’s eye diagonally across the scene. The cool and vast expanse of sky, provides balance and contrast to the dense activity in the lower half of the painting.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary wood frame. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 38 x 48 cm (including frame)

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The Distance Between Us

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A contemplative modernist figurative painting that depicts a solitary figure standing before a vast expanse of open land, executed in oil onto canvas and dated 1975.

The composition is strikingly divided into two registers: the upper portion capturing a serene vista of green fields and a distant tree line beneath a pale, open sky, and the lower section marked by a bold geometric band in black with red and orange vertical stripes.

Rendered in restrained tones of green and earthy brown, the work balances natural quietude with structural rhythm. The figure, outlined with simplicity and minimal detail and lightly sketched features, appears introspective, heightening the emotional resonance of the scene.

Executed with flat planes of colour, the brushstrokes are gentle yet deliberate, with thinly applied layers that allow the canvas texture to breathe through. The palette is subdued yet harmonious, evoking a faded photograph or memory : an image caught between presence and absence, realism and abstraction.

This oil on canvas is presented in a silver frame. The painting is in excellent vintage condition. The frame displays some signs of age with marks and scuffs.

Size: 66.5 x 80.5 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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The Seamstress

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A tender and expressive mid-century figurative scene, painted in oil onto canvas.

The painting depicts a woman seated on a wooden chair, bent gently over her sewing, with a classic black sewing machine resting on a sturdy wooden table before her. Her posture conveys concentration and routine – an everyday ritual rendered with warmth and familiarity.

The style is expressive and loose. Forms are suggested rather than defined, allowing the viewer’s eye to fill in the narrative. Soft, hazy outlines and impressionistic strokes give the composition a spontaneous, lived-in quality.

The colour palette is warm and muted: blush pinks in the woman’s blouse, soft greys and taupes in her skirt, browns and light neutrals in the surrounding interior. Hints of red in her shoes and subtle greens and yellows in the background bring gentle vibrancy to the scene.

Brushstrokes are confident and gestural – broad sweeps for the furniture, short textured strokes for fabric and hair, and looser scumbles to build the diffused light of the room. Together, they create a beautifully atmospheric study of everyday work, captured with grace and sensitivity.

This oil on canvas is housed in a beautiful wood frame. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 41.5 x 33 cm (including frame)

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The Union

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This 1970s textile artwork is a charming and whimsical handwoven tapestry depicting a newlywed couple beneath a bright sun — a joyful celebration of love rendered in the folk-modern style so characteristic of Scandinavian textile art of the period.

At the centre stands the bride and groom, simply but expressively portrayed: the bride in a long white gown and veil, holding a bouquet of pink flowers, and the groom in a black suit and top hat. Their figures are stylised and symmetrical, framed by two tall blue flowers that echo traditional wedding motifs of purity and growth.

The background is a deep midnight blue or black, which makes the bright colours — yellows, greens, pinks, and blues — radiate with warmth and optimism. Above, a golden sun with radiating beams shines down on the pair, while beneath them a field of cheerful yellow daisies anchors the scene in a meadow-like setting.

Mounted on a neutral linen backing, the piece has a rustic yet refined presence. The handwoven texture and slightly naive proportions lend it a tender, storybook quality — a perfect blend of folk tradition and 1970s artistic playfulness.

It’s a heartfelt, symbolic work that captures not just a moment but a feeling — one of innocence, warmth, and enduring joy — lovingly woven into fabric.

This vintage tapestry remains in very good condition. It is mounted onto fabric lined board, and is ready to hang. The needlepoint is very slightly irregular, which is typical for handmade or traditionally textile pieces, adding to its authenticity and charm.

Size: 25 x 18 cm

To view more vintage textiles in our collection, click here. The rug clamps as seen in this photo will be removed before delivery. If you would like to purchase these bronze clamps you can do so here.

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White Scarf

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This oil on canvas is housed in a black wood frame which complements the painting brilliantly. Both painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 74 x 58 cm cm (including frame)

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Woman in a Pink Blouse

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A contemplative modernist figurative painting that depicts a seated woman before a softly rendered natural backdrop, executed in oil onto canvas and dated 1975.

Her dark bob frames her lightly sketched expression, lending the composition an air of introspection and quiet distance. The figure’s mauve-pink blouse, trimmed with ruffled lace, contrasts subtly with the muted greens and browns of the forested landscape behind her.

The artist has used a delicate balance between precision and restraint: the background is softly diffused with translucent washes, while the figure’s form is more sharply delineated. The lower section of the painting introduces a striking geometric interruption: a striped band in cream, burgundy, and brown – that recalls textile or interior motifs, grounding the work in a unique aesthetic.

Brushstrokes are measured and matte, with thinly applied layers that allow the canvas texture to breathe through. The palette is subdued yet harmonious, evoking a faded photograph or memory : an image caught between presence and absence, realism and abstraction.

This oil on canvas is presented in a silver frame. The painting is in excellent vintage condition. The frame displays some signs of age wear with marks and scuffs, as shown in the photos.

Size: 66.5 x 80.5 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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Embrace in Blue

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An emotive and serene mid-century modernist figurative composition, executed in oil on board, and dated 1983 on reverse.

The painting captures a poignant moment of maternal love as it feature a female figure cradling a baby.

As the figure in a blue dress and with blue hair is seated on a blue chair, blending into the cobalt blue backdrop, the artist has thoughtfully chosen a monochrome blue theme – symbolising calmness and serenity.

This oil on board is housed in a complementary silver painted frame with a wide inner linen border. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some general scuffing but this is in keeping with its vintage quality.

Size: 56.5 x 47.5 cm (including frame)

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Figure in Profile

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A striking mid-century modernist figurative painting, executed in oil onto board by the established Swedish artist Ingvar Elén (1915–1973), whose artworks have represented in public collections including the the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the National Museum in Sweden, and the Sörmlands Museum.

The composition presents a simplified female figure shown in profile, rendered with a serene and contemplative presence. The artist has reduced the form to sculptural planes and soft geometric shapes, creating a harmonious balance between abstraction and the human silhouette.

Set against a warm terracotta-red background, the figure is built from earthy, muted tones: olive green, beige, soft cream, and gentle peach and browns – each colour block carefully placed to suggest light, shadow, and the natural curvature of the body. The palette feels both understated and bold.

The brushstrokes are deliberate yet textured, with visible strokes that give the flat planes a subtle tactile depth. Edges are softly defined rather than rigid, lending the piece a graceful, contemplative rhythm. The overall effect is calm, refined, and deeply atmospheric – an elegant study of form and restraint.

A beautiful example of mid-century modernist figurative art, perfect for collectors who appreciate minimalism, colour harmony, and sculptural silhouettes.

This oil on board is presented in a very well-suited gilt frame with an inner moulding with visible wood grain. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 61.5 x 33.5 cm (including frame)

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Nude on Chair

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A large and striking mid-century modernist style nude figurative painting, executed in oil onto board.

A female nude figure seated on a chair punctuates the center of the composition. She is positioned in a relaxed pose, yet her lack of facial features lends an air of mystery. The background is striking, dominated by a large block of red, which contrasts harmoniously with smaller panels of blue and green that both have yellow undertones.

The artist has used short and expressive brushstrokes, creating a lightly textured surface. Colours are layered thoughtfully, blending the bold with the subdued, resulting in a painting that evokes a soothing quality amidst vibrant energy.

This large oil on board is housed in a complementary wood frame with an inner linen border. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 73.5 x 68.5 cm (including frame)

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Seated Woman with Letter

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A large and brilliantly executed mid-century modernist style figurative painting, executed in oil onto canvas.

The composition presents a contemplative female figure seated on a simple chair, her body angled gently to the side as she holds a folded piece of paper in her hand. The faceless portrayal lends the work a universal quality, allowing the figure to embody both anonymity and intimacy.

The style is distinctly modernist and abstracted, with simplified forms, flat planes, and carefully balanced geometric blocks of colour. The composition is built on interlocking shapes, where body, chair, and background meld seamlessly, reinforcing the quiet harmony of the scene.

The palette is warm and earthy, with shades of terracotta, brown, and sienna set against muted peach, pale creams, and soft blues. Darker tones in the figure’s dress contrast with the lighter background, creating depth while maintaining the painting’s restrained, introspective mood.

Brushstrokes are broad and deliberate, with smooth transitions that emphasise form rather than detail. The painter resists naturalism, instead favouring abstraction and tonal rhythm to evoke atmosphere and feeling.

This oil on canvas is presented in a wood frame with a white inner border. The painting has some light marks to its surface but nothing that detracts from its overall attractiveness. The frame has some areas of paint loss as shown, but is otherwise in good stable condition.

Size: 89 x 51.5 cm (including frame)

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Life by the Water

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A mid-century painting that depicts a quiet coastal village scene, capturing the everyday rhythms of life by the sea, and executed in oil onto canvas.

In the foreground, two adult figures and two children are shown walking towards the water’s edge, their simplified forms reduced to geometric blocks of colour. Between them, a broad expanse of fabric or net stretches out, leading the eye towards the distant horizon. A fishing boat sails calmly in the background, suggesting the livelihood and maritime traditions of the community.

Executed in a restrained mid-century modernist style, the work favours flat planes, abstraction, and strong compositional geometry over fine detail. The figures and houses are stylised, with angular silhouettes and minimal facial or bodily definition.

The palette is soft yet striking, dominated by cool shades of sky-blue, grey, and sea-green, contrasted with earthy tones of terracotta and beige on the rooftops and figures. The balance of muted colours evokes a sense of clarity and calm, reflective of coastal light.

The artist has used broad, textured brushstrokes, layering opaque planes of colour in a way that emphasises surface and form rather than naturalistic depth. Edges are clean yet slightly rough, reinforcing the handmade quality of the work.

This oil on canvas is presented in a complementary wood frame with an inner silver border. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 59 x 70.5 cm (including frame)

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The Resting Muse

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A brilliantly executed mid-century modernist figurative painting that presents a stylised nude form rendered in soft, interlocking shapes, executed onto canvas by Swedish painter Bengt Lundin (1924-2005) whose works have been exhibited at the National Museum in Stockholm, as well as Modern Art Museum in Sweden.

The figure reclines in an abstracted interior space, her body defined by bold blocks of colour rather than distinct outlines. The composition is reduced to essential forms, yet the posture conveys a quiet sensuality and repose.

The artist has used a palette of muted browns, taupe, and creams, contrasted with deep blue and olive-green accents that evoke both depth and intimacy. The patterned background, suggestive of foliage or textile design, enhances the rhythmic harmony of the piece.

The brushstrokes are confident and broad, with areas of visible texture and raw canvas left exposed, lending an immediacy and honesty to the work. Each shape feels intentionally placed, balancing figuration and abstraction.

A celebration of form and tone, this painting captures the essence of modernist restraint – expressive, structured, and deeply human.

This oil on canvas is presented in a complementary slim wood frame. Both painting and frame are in very good vintage condition.

Size: 70.5 x 52 cm (including frame)

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Beneath the Pale Sky

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A brilliantly executed mid-century figurative composition, painted in oil onto canvas by the established Swedish artist Fabian Lundqvist (1913-1989), whose works have been represented in many public collections in Sweden.

The painting captures two elongated female figures standing in stark silhouette, each holding a basket above their heads. Their forms are rendered in an abstracted, minimalist manner, emphasising gesture over detail. The simplified architecture in the background grounds the figures in a flattened, geometric landscape that resembles desert dwellings.

Strongly influenced by modernist abstraction, the work embraces a reduction of form and a keen sense of balance.

The colour palette is restrained, revolving around earthy and warm tones of browns and blush. The subdued colours evoke a sense of nostalgia, while the interplay of tones adds depth to the scene.

The brushstrokes are soft and gentle, contributing to the smoothness of the surface and imbuing a soothing quality throughout the artwork.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary linen lined wood frame with an inner gilt window that suits that painting very well. The painting is in excellent vintage condition. The frame has some age marks on its linen border.

Size: 50.5 x 58.5 cm (including frame)

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Drift and Thought

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A mid-century modernist painting that presents a tranquil seaside scene, executed in oil onto board.

The painting features two abstracted figures seated near a boat. The figure on the left, clad in a striking yellow coat, appears to be engaged in quiet reflection, while the darker-clothed figure in the foreground seems to be writing or sketching. A boat, rendered in bold strokes of blue and red, rests on the shore, adding a strong geometric contrast to the muted landscape.

Executed in a modernist style, the artist has skilfully simplified the forms into blocks of contrasting shades, and has used a restrained yet effective palette.

The vibrant yellow of the coat and the red of the boat capture our attention, as they stand out among the overall subdued shades that imbue the work with a soothing quality.

The brushstrokes are thick and expressive, applied with a sense of immediacy and texture that enhances the painting’s tactile quality.

The composition is carefully balanced, with the diagonal placement of the boat and figures guiding the viewer’s eye across the painting, creating a sense of depth.

This oil on board is housed in a complementary champagne frame with an inner linen border. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 35 x 44 cm (including frame)

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Summer Reading

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A serene mid-century scene depicting two women seated beneath dappled trees on a sunlit lawn, absorbed in quiet leisure, executed in oil onto canvas.

The figures They sit on mint-green folding chairs, one reading while the other holds a small object in her hands – perhaps a flower or letter – suggesting a gentle intimacy and stillness in the moment. Beyond them, pastel-hued cottages with pitched roofs and sunlit façades peek through the trees, evoking the charm of a summer afternoon in a peaceful village garden.

The colour palette is rich – cool sage, olive, and moss greens intersect with muted stone greys and soft sky blues, creating a harmonious balance between earth and air. The sky is painted in a smooth gradient of pale blue, acting as a calm contrast to the dynamic, textured land below. Each stroke is deliberate and expressive, laid down with visible directionality, giving the impression of wind pushing across the hillsides.

Executed in a modernist-impressionist manner characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian painting, the artist has used broad, confident brushstrokes and a light, airy palette. The treatment of form is simplified yet expressive, focusing on the harmony of colour and light rather than detail.

The composition is suffused with soft greens, pale blues, buttery yellows, and lavender shadows, creating a tranquil, sun-dappled atmosphere. The brushwork is loose and painterly, with visible strokes that suggest movement in the leaves and shimmering sunlight across the grass.

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

Size: 63.5 x 78 cm (including frame)

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The Parade

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A vibrant modernist figurative composition that captures a jubilant procession winding through a lively town scene, executed in oil onto canvas and dated 1969 in reverse.

A long line of figures, dressed in bright whites with touches of vivid red and orange, marches in rhythmic formation, creating a strong sense of movement and communal festivity. The crowd appears to weave through a landscape dotted with clustered houses and trees, with the architecture rendered in warm ochres and earthy reds against a soft blue-grey sky.

Painted in an expressive style, the work features thick, energetic brushstrokes that lend a tactile, almost sculptural quality to the surface. The artist applies paint in vigorous swirls and dashes, allowing the colours to intermingle directly on the canvas. Warm golds, muted greens, and slate blues dominate the palette, balanced by flashes of white that illuminate the procession like a ribbon threading through the landscape.

The overall impression is one of joyful chaos and human togetherness, captured with spontaneity and painterly confidence.

This oil on canvas is presented in a complementary wide profile frame. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 38.5 x 43 cm (including frame)

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The Priests

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A brilliantly painted mid century figurative portrait of 2 priests, executed in oil onto canvas.

Working with a restrained and muted colour palette, the artist has flattened the respective forms, reducing them down to blocks of contrasting shades. Despite the minor tonal differences, there is a wonderful sense of depth within the picture. The artist has included a shadow in sepia in the background. This figurative painting certainly has a timeless quality to it.

This oil on canvas is housed in a beautiful dark wood frame that has an inner gilt window which illuminates the painting within it. Both painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 60 x 48 cm (including frame)

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Seated Figures

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A mid-century painting that depicts a group of five seated figures, rendered in a semi-abstract, modernist style, and executed in oil onto canvas.

The figures are portrayed with softened outlines and reduced detail, their forms emerging from blocks of muted yet luminous colour.

The palette is dominated by earthy yellows, olive greens, and sandy beiges, contrasted with cooler tones of blue, teal, and soft grey. Occasional accents of warm sienna and coral pink enliven the composition, drawing attention to hands and garments.

The brushwork is broad and layered, with visible strokes that create texture and depth, lending the piece a sense of movement despite its still subject matter. Background and figures merge fluidly, suggesting both unity and ambiguity, as if the figures are part of their environment as much as distinct from it.

There is a contemplative, almost solemn mood in the painting – the figures seem to share a moment of quiet reflection or conversation, inviting the viewer to sense the unspoken bond between them.

This oil on canvas is presented in a complementary gilt frame. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 49.5 x 58.5 cm (including frame)

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Cubist Figure & Fruits (Large)

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A very large and brilliantly executed mid-century cubist painting that presents a fragmented figure seated beside a simple pedestal table holding a cluster of rounded fruit forms, painted in oil onto board.

In this striking composition, the human form is reduced to angular planes and intersecting facets, the face and body articulated through a network of geometric shapes in pale cream, brown, and muted green tones, accented by deep blacks. The table and fruit echo this cubist language, with rounded grapes and apples broken into overlapping, flat colour areas.

The style is distinctly cubist, emphasising structural simplification and the interplay of light and shadow through geometric abstraction. The artist balances areas of dense black with softer sage greens, creating a rhythmic tension across the composition. Brushstrokes are firm, deliberate, and textured, with the layered paint adding subtle depth to the otherwise flat geometry.

The restrained palette – creams, greens, blacks, and teal-blues – contributes to the painting’s harmony, while the angular construction of the figure and still life demonstrates the artist’s focus on form and design rather than naturalistic representation.

This oil on board is housed in a complementary heavy solid wood frame with an oak-toned finish. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 95 x 79.5 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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Girl Reading with Vase

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An expressive mid-century modernist painting that captures a quiet, contemplative moment of a young woman reading, executed in oil onto canvas.

The figure, dressed in a soft blue garment, is seated in profile, her blonde hair carefully modelled with broad planes of colour. In front of her, a tall patterned vase decorated with patch-like blocks of muted blues, greens, pinks, and grey provides a bold counterpoint to her delicate form.

The composition is built from simplified geometric shapes and flat planes, balancing figuration with semi-abstraction. The palette is harmonious yet lively. The brushstrokes are bold, visible, and confident. They have been applied with a thickness that lends the painting a tactile presence.

This work embodies the modernist pursuit of distilling everyday life into essential shapes and colours, creating both intimacy and abstraction within a single frame.

This oil on canvas is presented in a complementary frame and an inner linen border. Both the painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 67 x 58 cm (including frame)

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Glowing Silhouette

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A small yet striking mid-century semi-abstract figurative composition, executed in oil onto board.

The painting centers around a silhouette of an illuminating standing figure rendered in shades of yellow. This luminous form stands in stark contrast against a rich brown backdrop, creating a captivating focal point that draws the viewer’s eye.

The artist’s use of a restrained palette, consisting primarily of browns and yellows, emphasises the interplay of the contrasting shades, allowing the figure’s form to stand out further.

The composition’s simplicity is balanced by the expressive and beautifully textured brushwork, which adds depth and dynamism to the painting.

This oil on board is housed in a very well-suited gilt frame with multiple profiles, that complements and enhances the warm tones of the artwork. Both painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 33.5 x 21 cm (including frame)

The sculpture seen in the photos is also available to purchase and details can be viewed here.

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Silhouette in Shadow

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A striking mid-century figurative oil painting that presents an enigmatic image of a figure cloaked in shadow, executed in oil onto canvas

The subject, defined by broad, gestural brushstrokes, is rendered in deep blacks and beige, wearing a dark coat and a brimmed hat that casts an air of mystery. The anonymity of the face – left intentionally undefined – imbues the piece with a sense of intrigue and ambiguity, leaving space for the viewer’s own interpretation.

The background is composed of layered tones of cool grey-blues and muted teals, painted with bold, sweeping strokes that create a textured, almost turbulent atmosphere. The contrast between the shadowy figure and the lighter, restless background emphasises the sense of isolation and presence.

Executed in a loose, expressive style, the brushwork is raw and unrefined, conveying mood and form over detail. The palette is restrained yet powerful, relying on dark neutrals against cold, subdued hues to evoke both drama and introspection.

This oil on canvas is presented in a white-painted wooden frame. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some paint loss at its left side.

Size: 67.5 x 65.5 cm (including frame)

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Sylvie

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A mid-century figurative oil painting that presents an intimate portrait of a young sitter, captured with a quiet yet compelling presence, and executed in oil onto canvas and dated 1955.

The subject, shown against a softly modulated grey-blue background, gazes directly at the viewer with dark, thoughtful eyes and a composed expression. Her short, dark hair frames a delicately modelled face, rendered with confident, angular brushstrokes that balance sensitivity with structure.

The artist has used a restrained but effective palette, dominated by muted blues, greys, and greens, contrasted with the fresh luminosity of the sitter’s yellow blouse. The strokes are loose yet deliberate, giving the painting a textured vibrancy while maintaining the sitter’s natural poise. There is an impressionistic quality to the handling of paint, with visible layering and tonal variation creating depth and atmosphere.

Overall, the work conveys a sense of stillness and introspection.

This oil on canvas is presented in very well-suited gilt frame. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some marks.

Size: 69 x 58.5 cm (including frame)

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The Shape of Thought (Very Large)

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A large and outstanding 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 painting presents a bold and dynamic interpretation of the human form, fragmented into intersecting shapes and saturated blocks of colour. At the centre, a green torso-like shape anchors the composition, surrounded by gestural planes of midnight blue, ivory white, forest green, sky grey, and cerulean. Hints of yellow and red punctuate the palette with energy, while the heavy use of impasto and palette knife work brings a sense of raw physicality to the surface.

Though abstract, the overlapping forms and contours evoke the impression of a seated or contemplative figure, abstracted almost to the point of pure form. The figure emerges from and dissolves into the background, suggesting emotional introspection or transformation. The painter’s brushwork is assertive yet nuanced, blending thickly applied oil with moments of scraped texture and layered opacity.

In both its materiality and expressive ambiguity, the painting speaks to the search for identity through abstraction, emotion, and gesture.

Close to a metre in height, this painting will make a statement piece in any interior.

This oil on canvas is housed in a very well-suited hessian lined frame with an inner silver border. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has minor scuffing.

Size: 99 x 78 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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Baskets

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A mid century limited edition (164/260) coloured lithograph, signed by Esaias Thorén and dated 1957.

It is signed, dated and numbered by hand in pencil to the lower edge. The print is in very good vintage condition. There is slight age toning present around the borders of the image.

Sheet size: 58 x 45.5 cm
Image size: 49 x 38 cm

View our short video explaining the meaning of ‘original’ and ‘limited edition’ prints.

View The Met’s easy to understand explanation of the process of lithography.

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By the White Walls

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A simple yet sophisticated mid-century modernist style painting, executed in oil onto canvas by the established Swedish artist Fabian Lundqvist (1913-1989), whose works have been represented in many public collections in Sweden.

The composition focuses on a female figure set against an abstracted and minimalist architectural background. The buildings are rendered with clean, almost block-like forms which are devoid of intricate details and that evoke a Mediterranean aesthetic. The woman’s dark dress, adorned with small dots, contrasts with the otherwise monochromatic palette, adding a subtle focus on her presence.

The brushstrokes are soft and gentle, contributing to the smoothness of the surface. The painting predominantly uses muted tones of grey and white, accentuating the calm and contemplative mood. The woman’s dress introduces a slightly warmer tone, and her yellow handbag serves as the only bright accent, drawing the viewer’s attention and breaking the monochromatic harmony.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary silver frame with an inner linen border. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some scuffs at its edges as shown.

Size: 49 x 57 cm (including frame)

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Evening Reflection

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A mid-century modernist composition that captures a serene moment of contemplation set in a tranquil landscape setting, executed in oil onto board.

The painting depicts four robed figures gathered near a large tree—one seated and the others standing in reflective postures. Their robes, in striking hues of red, orange, and blue, create a focal point, emphasising their presence and interaction. The background reveals an open countryside bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun, with rolling, lush hills adding depth and atmosphere.

Embracing modernist expressionism, the work features simplified forms and a focus on emotional resonance rather than realism. The semi-abstracted figures are rendered with minimal detail, enhancing their meditative quality. The composition is carefully balanced, with the prominent tree on the left counterweighting the figures on the right, leading the viewer’s eye along the pathway into the distance.

The brushstrokes are expressive yet fluid, lending the piece a dynamic yet harmonious quality. The thoughtfully curated colour palette blends warm and cool tones, contributing to the painting’s contemplative and evocative atmosphere.

This oil on board is housed in a complementary wood frame. The painting is in excellent vintage condition. The frame has some scuffing presents at its edges and corner, and the bottom left corner has a small loss as shown.

Size: 46 x 56 cm (including frame)

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