The Variety Theatre in Paris 1912

Magnus Enckell’s scene of the Variety Theatre in Paris, maybe done from life, or from memory, is made up of loose brushstrokes in shades of blue, pink, and ochre. I can imagine him, brush in hand, trying to capture the fleeting atmosphere of the theatre. The way he's layered the paint makes the whole scene shimmer. The curtains, the stage, and even the audience seem to be breathing. I can almost feel the warmth of the lights and hear the murmur of the crowd. There are red blobs on either side which can suggest a number of things, but which read to me as potted plants. There's a kind of back-and-forth between representation and abstraction going on here that feels very modern to me. It reminds me a little of Bonnard, or Vuillard, those guys who were also trying to capture the ephemeral quality of everyday life. It’s like Enckell is in conversation with them, adding his own voice to the mix.