Sketch for the stained glass window Christus Resurrexit in Pori Church 1920 - 1925

Editor: This watercolor drawing, "Sketch for the stained glass window Christus Resurrexit in Pori Church," was created by Magnus Enckell between 1920 and 1925. There's a dreamlike quality to it, and the figures almost seem to be floating against the blue background. What meaning do you think the figures embody? Curator: Given its purpose as a stained glass sketch, consider how light would have transformed these figures. Enckell utilizes color not just representationally but to evoke emotional responses. Blue, a colour often tied to spirituality, frames them, suggesting an otherworldly scene. Notice the figures' posture too; how does their averted gaze speak to you? Editor: Their upward gaze makes me think of hope and maybe searching for answers. The figure on the right, in the red dress, is much clearer, and the blue one almost seems to be fading away, almost as if from memory. Curator: Precisely. Color often carries coded meaning. The red, associated with sacrifice and love, positions the figure bathed in it in a narrative of devotion and possibly, transformation. While the more subdued figure almost fades as you noted. Enckell is a master of subtlety. It almost represents a kind of duality. What is seen and what is known. A conversation between earthly realities and divine expectation. Editor: It’s incredible how the colors and their positioning relative to one another adds such deep complexity. Curator: Indeed, the power of the image lies in how symbols coalesce to create a potent visual language. Editor: This has broadened my perspective. Now I notice layers that weren't initially apparent, particularly regarding the emotional weight colors carry. Curator: And seeing that is exactly the point.