Study 1890 - 1925

Magnus Enckell made this study with what looks like watercolour and pencil. I can almost see the scene coming together, bit by bit, as he works out the composition. The blues and purples create an ethereal atmosphere, while the figures are only lightly described. This guy with the dark cloak almost emerges from the background. Look at the way the pigment has bloomed and feathered, becoming denser in some areas. It’s not so much about precise rendering as it is about capturing a feeling or mood. See the sketchy lines? They bring such energy to the piece. Enckell doesn't seem too fussed about hiding his process, it’s all out there, on the surface. For me, it calls to mind some of the early expressionist painters, like Emil Nolde, who shared this interest in the raw and emotive power of colour. Ultimately, though, Enckell's study is an invitation. It asks us to bring our own interpretations to the scene.