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. Both the painting and frame are in very good vintage condition.

Size: 83 x 63 cm (including frame)

A bold and compelling mid-century geometric composition depicting a closely gathered group of abstracted figures, executed in oil onto board.

The subjects emerge through an arrangement of interlocking angular planes, their bodies reduced to elongated blocks, faceted forms and sharply defined silhouettes. While distinctly figurative, the painting moves confidently towards abstraction, allowing the figures to read almost as a single architectural structure.

The work has a distinctly cubist and geometric abstract character, with perspective flattened and the human form fragmented into overlapping geometric shapes. The tightly compressed grouping creates a wonderful sense of intimacy and collective presence, while subtle variations in height, posture and direction give each figure an individual identity. There is an intriguing ambiguity to the scene – the figures might be engaged in conversation, gathered in contemplation, or simply occupying the same space.

The palette is wonderfully restrained, dominated by charcoal black, slate grey and muted olive, punctuated by passages of chalky white, pale stone, smoky blue-grey and occasional warm cream. These lighter facets illuminate portions of the figures almost like shafts of light, creating depth and rhythm against the darker forms.

Brushwork is controlled yet visibly painterly. Broad areas of colour have been applied in relatively flat, opaque passages, with softly irregular edges and subtle variations in surface texture preventing the geometry from feeling overly rigid. The occasional trace of the brush and unevenness of pigment lend warmth and tactility to the otherwise disciplined composition.

A striking example of mid-century geometric figuration, balancing the recognisable human form with bold abstraction, architectural structure and a sophisticated, subdued palette.

This oil on board is housed in a complementary gilt frame with an inner cream border. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some scuffs.

Size: 73 x 85.5 cm (including frame)