The Geometry of Danish Abstraction

Mogens Lohmann was a Danish painter who operated within the rigorous constraints of concrete art. Born in Copenhagen in 1918, his work avoided the messy sentimentality often found in mid-century abstraction. Instead, he focused on the structural logic of the canvas. His output was defined by a commitment to composition and the physical reality of the medium. By the time he died in 1985, he had established a presence in the Danish art scene that relied on precision rather than spectacle.

His practice was rooted in the concept of the concrete composition. This was not an attempt to represent the world, but an attempt to create a new reality through line and color. In 1951, he produced Concrete composition, an oil on canvas measuring 67 x 25 cm. This piece demonstrates his interest in non-traditional aspect ratios, moving away from the standard rectangular format to explore how space is partitioned. Such works demand a specific type of attention, one that respects the mathematical relationship between the edges of the frame and the marks made upon them.

Structural Rigor and Exhibition History

Lohmann’s development is marked by a consistent adherence to formalist principles. His 1957 work, Concrete painting, was exhibited in Copenhagen, signaling his engagement with the contemporary movements of that era. This period of his career shows a painter preoccupied with the tension between the painted surface and the physical object. He did not rely on brushwork to convey emotion; he relied on the placement of forms to create order.

The technical execution of his later works, such as Composition A.VII from 1980, shows a refined control over the medium. This oil on canvas work, measuring 65×81 cm, remains a clear example of his late-period precision. His ability to maintain a cohesive visual language over several decades is what gives his body of work its weight. He was not interested in the fleeting trends of the Copenhagen art scene, but in the enduring logic of the grid and the plane.

Market Presence and Institutional Recognition

The historical value of Lohmann’s work is reflected in its presence within significant collections and its performance in the secondary market. The Herning Museum of Contemporary Art holds his work, providing a permanent anchor for his legacy. His auction history shows a steady, if specialized, market. While his prints and graphic arts have seen realized prices around 158 USD, his paintings command higher attention.

• Record auction price: 3,166 USD for [Untitled] sold at Bruun Rasmussen - Online in 2020.
• Total auction turnover: $53K.
• Total auction results: 90.

His market is characterized by a specific type of collector—those who value the intellectual clarity of Danish abstraction. The fact that his work continues to appear in auction houses like Bruun Rasmussen proves that his focus on concrete form remains a valid pursuit for those looking for structural integrity in modern art.