Girl Straightening Her Hair 1902

Magnus Enckell painted 'Girl Straightening Her Hair' with what looks like muted tones, maybe a limited palette of ochres, browns, and creams, all kind of blending into one another. It’s a scene that feels incredibly intimate, like we're catching a private moment. The way Enckell builds up the paint is interesting. It's not overly thick, but you can see the brushstrokes, especially in the girl’s hair and the folds of her shirt. There's a certain honesty to it, a lack of pretension. Look at the pitcher on the table – it’s rendered with simple, straightforward strokes, yet it has a real presence. What I like is the raw simplicity, the way the process of painting remains visible, almost like a diaristic record of the artist's encounter with his subject. This piece reminds me a little of Vilhelm Hammershøi – both artists have this quiet, contemplative approach to domestic scenes. But where Hammershøi often feels detached, Enckell seems to be searching for a deeper emotional connection. It's an exploration of mood and the beauty of the everyday.