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

Bengt Orup (Swedish, 1916–1996)
Untitled
Etching and aquatint on paper
Framed: 43 × 30 cm
Edition 10/30, signed in pencil
c. mid-20th century
In this graphic work, Orup distills his visual language to its essential elements: form, contrast, and spatial rhythm. Two rectangular fields, each punctuated by a perfect black circle, are suspended in a composition that suggests balance, repetition, and a subtle sense of movement. The influence of Constructivism and Concrete Art—both key to Scandinavian abstraction in the postwar years—is evident in the disciplined geometry and limited palette.
As in his glasswork, Orup employs clarity and precision to explore optical relationships, creating a composition that is at once rigorous and quietly lyrical.