A Gathering Across Planes

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)