Mother 1907

Magnus Enckell made this drawing of a Mother, we don't know exactly when, using pencil on paper. Look how the hatching creates subtle shifts in tone. The whole image seems to emerge like a memory, built up slowly through layers of looking and feeling. The soft grey tones Enckell coaxes from his pencil create a kind of all-overness, a field of muted light and shadow. It’s as if the texture of the paper itself is activated, becoming part of the image. If you look closely at the mother's headscarf, see how the lines gently curve and overlap, suggesting the soft folds of the fabric and the gentle curve of her face beneath. This is drawing as a process of discovery, where the artist explores the subject through the act of making marks, rather than simply representing what he sees. Enckell's work echoes that of Symbolist artists like Puvis de Chavannes, who also sought to evoke a sense of spiritual depth through simplified forms and muted colors. But Enckell brings a unique sensitivity to his subject, capturing the tenderness and intimacy of the mother-child relationship. Ultimately, this drawing invites us to contemplate the mystery and beauty of human connection.