Harry Booström oil painting

This oil painting by Harry Booström, dated 1952, is a compelling example of mid-20th-century Concretist abstraction in Sweden. Executed in oil on canvas, the work presents a structured, geometric composition rooted in the visual language of non-representational modernism. Booström’s methodical approach to form and color situates the piece firmly within the Concretist movement, which emerged in the post-war period as a reaction against narrative and symbolic content in art.

The composition is dominated by flat planes of color and sharply delineated forms. A black background establishes a strong visual field, acting as both a void and a stabilizing element within the piece. Over this foundation, irregular rectangular and angular shapes in rusty red and burnt orange interact in layered arrangements. The use of rusty red imparts a sense of material weight and visual density, while the burnt orange introduces brightness and movement, serving as a chromatic counterpoint. These color fields are balanced with precision, creating both tension and coherence through their placement and proportion.

Booström’s adherence to Concretist ideals is evident in his commitment to clarity of form and rejection of figuration. There are no allusions to external subjects or narrative references. Instead, the painting operates autonomously—its meaning and value are derived solely from the internal relationships between color, shape, and surface. The execution is deliberate, with crisp edges and a matte surface quality that emphasizes the material presence of the painted forms.

Harry Booström (1920–1990) was active within the Swedish art scene during a period of intense interest in abstraction and formal experimentation. His work often reflected an analytical yet expressive engagement with spatial structure and chromatic contrast. Though less widely known than some of his contemporaries, Booström contributed meaningfully to the Scandinavian Concretist dialogue, bridging influences from international modernism with localized sensibilities.

The painting is in good vintage condition. The surface retains its original pigment saturation and compositional clarity. The wooden frame, which appears to be original or period-appropriate, shows mild signs of age—such as patina and minor surface wear—consistent with its mid-century origin. These elements add to the artwork’s authenticity and presence.

The dimensions are 64.5 cm in height and 92 cm in width (25.4 x 36.2 inches), giving the piece a horizontal orientation well-suited for modern interior display. As a standalone work or as part of a curated collection of Nordic modernist art, this painting exemplifies the principles of Concretism through its disciplined geometry and emotive use of color.