Pierre Olofsson lithograph
This color lithograph by Pierre Olofsson is executed on heavyweight, slightly textured paper and presents a rigorous abstract composition defined by dynamic geometric forms. The print is numbered “27/50” and bears the artist’s signature in pencil at the lower margin. Against a pristine white field, a series of sharp diagonals, arcs and interlocking planes traverse the surface, creating a sense of rhythmic movement. The contrasting hues—deep black set against vivid red, royal blue, bright orange, verdant green, sunshine yellow and regal purple—are applied in flat, unmodulated fields, their crisp edges revealing the precision of the lithographic process.
Olofsson’s arrangement of shapes demonstrates a careful balance between tension and harmony. Bold triangular wedges thrust outward, countered by sweeping semicircular curves that soften the composition’s angles. Small rectangular and trapezoidal forms punctuate the larger elements, introducing secondary rhythms and guiding the eye across the picture plane. The layers of overlapping color both disrupt and reinforce the work’s underlying grid, illustrating the artist’s mastery of color theory—how adjacent contrasts intensify each hue while preserving overall unity.
Pierre Olofsson (1921–1996) was a key figure in postwar Scandinavian concretism, a movement that embraced a non-figurative language grounded in mathematical proportion and chromatic interaction. A member of the Färg och Form (Color and Form) association in Stockholm, he championed the idea that geometric abstraction could convey visual purity and emotional resonance simultaneously. His prints from the 1950s and 1960s are prized for their formal clarity, compositional rigor and the subtle variations that arise from the hand-pulled lithographic technique.
The edition of fifty impressions reflects a limited-run approach typical of mid-century fine art printmaking. This example, number 27, shows the intact plate edges and wide margins that attest to its traditional printing methods. The surface of the paper remains free of discoloration or foxing, and the inks retain full saturation without evidence of fading. Under its protective glass, the lithograph lies beneath a beige mat whose even age-toning complements the warmer hues in the composition. The gold-painted wooden frame exhibits only faint surface wear at the corners—minor scuffs that do not detract from the overall presentation.
Framed behind museum-grade glass, the piece measures 82 cm in width and 67 cm in height, equivalent to approximately 32.3 by 26.4 inches. The unobtrusive depth of the frame, at 3 cm, allows the print to sit close to the glass, emphasizing the precision of Olofsson’s forms while ensuring stable protection for long-term display.
