Naisen sivukuva, luonnos 1902 - 1903

Magnus Enckell created this sketch, titled 'Naisen sivukuva, luonnos' or 'Woman's profile, sketch,' using pencil on paper. Enckell lived during a period of significant social change, including evolving views on gender and sexuality, reflected in his work. The subject here is a woman shown in profile, her gaze directed downwards. The sketch is unfinished, raw, and intimate. It invites us to consider the complexities of female identity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Enckell often explored themes of androgyny and homoeroticism, challenging traditional gender roles. While this sketch may appear conventional, the artist's broader body of work encourages us to question whether the woman is simply a passive muse or whether she embodies a more complex, modern sensibility. The woman's expression evokes introspection or perhaps melancholy. Enckell’s ability to capture a moment of quiet contemplation invites us to reflect on the emotional lives of women during this transformative period in history.