Enigma 1937

Helen Lundeberg made this lithograph, Enigma, date unknown, and it’s a trip into seeing. The subtle gradations of gray, built up from countless tiny marks, give a real sense of volume to the objects she depicts. It’s all process, a slow build, a very particular way of seeing the world, and then making it. Looking closely, the surface feels almost velvety, with a tangible density to the shadows, especially the way the shadow of the chair falls on the floor. The lightbulb in the mirror looks as though it's floating. The objects feel both familiar and strange, like a dream. And that shell sitting on the chair: is it a memento, a symbolic element, or just a thing? I’m reminded of Giorgio Morandi and his still lifes, that same interest in the quiet power of everyday objects. But ultimately, Enigma has its own mysterious and compelling presence. It shows us that art is often about posing questions, not answering them.