A Pause Between Places

A striking mid-century figurative landscape that captures a quiet, contemplative moment at the boundary between nature and the built environment, painted in oil onto board by the established Swedish female artist Brita Hansson (1918-1979).

A group of abstracted figures sit near a winding path, their forms simplified yet expressive, while a pair of stylised trees rise beside them – curving, organic silhouettes that anchor the composition. In the distance, block-like architectural forms suggest a town or cityscape, softened and abstracted to create a sense of calm detachment rather than urban bustle.

Executed in a distinctly mid-century modern idiom, the painting balances figuration and abstraction with ease. The artist has used flattened planes, rhythmic shapes, and a gently asymmetrical composition to guide the eye through the scene. There is a lyrical, almost poetic quality to the arrangement, where figures, trees, and buildings coexist in quiet harmony.

The palette is warm and nuanced, featuring soft creams, sandy beiges, pale blues, and blush tones, punctuated by deeper earthy browns, rust reds, olive greens, and muted teals. These contrasting yet harmonious colours lend the work both warmth and depth, while maintaining a light, airy atmosphere.

Confident, visible brushstrokes define the surface, with areas of loose, gestural paint layered against more opaque, block-like applications. Subtle scraping and overlaps reveal underlayers of colour, adding texture and movement. The painterly approach enhances the sense of spontaneity and modernist freedom characteristic of mid-century works.

This oil on board is housed in a well-suited wood frame with an inner gilt window. The painting is in very good vintage condition. There is a slight unevenness to the board but this is purely structural and does not affect the stability or visual impact of the artwork.

Size: 57.5 x 70 cm (including frame)