Maritime Landscape 1905

Magnus Enckell made this watercolor landscape of the sea, probably from observation, alla prima. What strikes me is the color – these greys and blues, dragged wetly over the paper, making a minimal scene that feels both immediate and distant. Look closely, and you can see how he built up the land in transparent washes. It gives the whole thing a watery feel, like the pigment is barely clinging to the paper. I’m drawn to the little boat, just a quick stroke of white with a hint of yellow underneath. It's like a tiny spark of hope in this otherwise somber scene, and it makes me think about how a single gesture can change the whole feeling of a piece. In this, Enckell reminds me of Whistler, another painter who knew how to do a lot with a little. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art is not about perfect representation, but about capturing a feeling or a moment.