Oscar Reutersvärd sculpture

The sculpture titled Uppåtsträvande rörelse (Upward Striving Motion) by Oscar Reutersvärd was produced in Sweden during the 1950s. This work is cast in solid bronze and features a composition of slender cylindrical rods arranged in an ascending, angular formation. The intersecting rods create a dynamic and balanced structure that evokes a sense of kinetic movement and upward propulsion. The surface of the bronze has naturally developed a rich patina, exhibiting tonal variations from dark brown to subtle greenish hues, which enhance the depth and texture of the sculpture.

Oscar Reutersvärd (1915–2002) was a Swedish artist, art historian, and professor notable for his pioneering contributions to the study and creation of impossible figures and visual paradoxes. He is often credited as one of the originators of the “impossible object” exploring spatial illusion and abstract geometry in both two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional forms. While his graphic works are better known, his sculptures are rarer and tend to emphasize conceptual abstraction, as demonstrated in this piece.

The sculpture is signed in the cast with the artist’s full name inscribed in script on one of the rods, confirming its authenticity. The condition is very good, showing minor wear consistent with age and the material, with a uniform patina that reflects the sculpture’s history. The dimensions measure 31 centimeters in width, 65 centimeters in depth, and 41 centimeters in height (12.2 by 25.6 by 16.1 inches).