The White Vase

A mid-century still life painting that presents a bold, modernist interpretation of a tabletop arrangement, executed in oil onto board and dated 1963 by the established Swedish artist Gunnar Hållander (1915-1980), whose artworks have represented in public collections including the National Museum and Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the Sundsvall Museum and the Institut Tessinin in Paris.

A tall, cylindrical white vase punctuates the centre of the composition, its simplified form rendered with thick impasto and heavy, deliberate brushstrokes. From the vase emerges a small bouquet of abstracted flowers in deep green, with accents of golden yellow and a striking touch of cobalt blue, all set against a muted grey-white background.

The composition is built around angular planes and geometric contrasts, with blocks of black, orange, and white forming the suggestion of a table surface, napkin, or cloth beneath the vase. The artist has stripped the subject down to its essential shapes, emphasising structure and rhythm rather than naturalistic detail.

The palette is restrained yet impactful, dominated by whites, greys, and blacks, punctuated by the warm mustard yellows and cool flashes of blue. The brushwork is textured and confident, with layered strokes that create depth and a tactile surface quality.

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