You can buy carefully selected works by Ib Geertsen at Nordisk Kunsthandel. We focus on works which, in our opinion, have particular potential to increase in value.
Ib Geertsen: concrete art, colour, form and movement
Ib Geertsen (1919–2009) is an important figure in Danish concrete art. His practice developed from an early naturalistic approach towards a language in which lines, forms and colours act as independent elements. Instead of representing a recognisable landscape or person, a concrete artwork investigates how the parts of the picture interact.
This does not mean the experience must be theoretical. Two colours meeting, a repeated shape or a line changing direction can create an immediate sense of balance, tension or movement. Geertsen is represented in the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark. He also worked with colour in architectural settings, where relationships between art, space and the viewer become particularly significant.
Looking at concrete art
A useful introduction is to follow the composition without first searching for a hidden subject. Notice which elements repeat and where the rhythm changes. A small difference in spacing or direction can become important when an image contains relatively few forms. A colour may also appear different according to its neighbours.
A stationary image can produce a sense of movement. Your attention shifts between fields, lines and shapes, giving the composition its own unfolding time. This can make an abstract work rewarding to live with: new relationships can emerge without the need for a final explanation.
Lithographs by Ib Geertsen
Graphic works offer a way to experience his precise handling of colour and form on paper. A lithograph has its own material qualities and should be considered as an individual object with particular measurements, a surface and an actual condition. When comparing prints, look at the complete composition as well as the smaller details of the paper and image.
Nordisk Kunsthandel offers a lithograph from 1979. Its work page shows the image and current information about size, framing and price. The year provides a historical position, while your judgement should also be informed by the composition itself. How would the image function in the setting where you wish to display it?
Ib Geertsen in a contemporary interior
A concrete artwork can connect with a room’s architecture through lines, planes and colours. It may echo furniture and materials or create a strong contrast. A simple setting can give the image’s internal rhythm space, while a more varied interior invites a deliberate choice of placement. Actual dimensions and the character of the frame are relevant considerations before buying.
Choosing the individual work
We select works by Ib Geertsen with interest in their visual quality and his practice. An established artist’s name is not itself a guarantee of appreciation. We assess the potential of the individual work, while encouraging you to consider your own experience of the image. Contact us to discuss the current lithograph or to review its format in relation to your room.