Framed Etching, Abstract, Bengt Orup (Swedish, 1916–1996)

Bengt Orup (Swedish, 1916–1996)
Untitled
Etching and aquatint on paper
Framed: 43 × 30 cm
Edition 8/20, signed in pencil
c. mid-20th century
This striking composition by Bengt Orup is a study in precision and tonal density. White linear forms slice through a richly textured black field, creating a visual rhythm that suggests both architectural structure and graphic notation. The asymmetrical balance of forms and interplay of etched surfaces reveal Orup’s mastery of printmaking techniques—particularly his ability to control light and texture with exacting subtlety.
Part of a small edition of 20, this work demonstrates Orup’s continued exploration of abstraction as a means of formal inquiry. Its depth and quiet intensity align it with the cooler tones of postwar Scandinavian minimalism, yet the surface energy keeps it firmly within a human, tactile register.