The Little Statue 1912

Delphin Enjolras made "The Little Statue" with oil on canvas, and it's like a little world of gentle observation. What strikes me is how the strokes of colour build up the form, they're soft, almost powdery, creating a hazy atmosphere that's more felt than seen. Look at the way light catches the woman's dress, each brushstroke seems to vibrate with its own inner light, and the colour is applied in thin layers, which lets the white of the canvas peek through, adding this shimmering quality. The softness in the brushwork creates a dreamy atmosphere, like a half-remembered impression. The composition feels like a quiet conversation, and the artist invites us to lean in, and listen. It’s like a love letter to the quiet moments that make up a life, not unlike the domestic interiors of Vuillard, but maybe less self-conscious.