Standing nude model 1902 - 1909

Magnus Enckell made this painting of a standing nude model using watercolour. It looks like he worked quite quickly, maybe he felt like he was capturing a fleeting feeling or a quick impression, you know? The way the colours wash over the paper gives it a kind of immediacy and a softness. The paint is thin and transparent, so the white of the paper peeks through, adding to that feeling. The figure's outlined with a few strokes in the torso and legs. It really brings out the texture, and it reminds me that painting isn’t just about depicting something, it’s about the physical act of applying paint and how it behaves. Reminds me a bit of Emil Nolde's raw expressionism, especially in that bold use of colour, but with a more graceful touch. Ultimately, it’s an invitation to just enjoy the dance between colour, form, and feeling.