Figures in Still Light

A nostalgic and introspective mid-century modernist style figurative composition, 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 painting presents a serene and stylised portrait of two women standing before abstracted sail-like forms, possibly evoking a market or village scene. Rendered in soft, earthy tones, the figures are simplified with elongated features and flat planes of colour, emphasising form over detail. One woman wears a square-patterned dress with a pale headscarf, while the other is dressed in a dark, polka-dotted garment and a warm-toned head covering.

The background features a strip of brown that resembles a landscape, contrasted against a calm, powder-blue sky. These sail-like forms lend the composition a rhythmic structure and a sense of balance. The artist’s brushwork is smooth and deliberate, with a matte finish and subtle transitions in tone that suggest the warmth of light and atmosphere without overt shadow or texture.

Overall, there’s a quiet harmony in the restrained execution – subtle yet impactful, evoking the stillness of the scene.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary gilt frame with an inner linen border. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some wear to its edges.

Size: 56 x 64 cm (including frame)