Christmas Tree in the Hall of Kilo Mansion 1919

Magnus Enckell made this painting, Christmas Tree in the Hall of Kilo Mansion, with oils on canvas. Look at those brushstrokes, light and airy. Enckell's application of paint is so delicate, it's like he's barely touched the canvas. See how the colours blend? Like a soft, hazy memory. I can almost feel the warmth of the candles on the tree. I imagine Enckell standing there, capturing the ephemeral glow of the Christmas lights. What a tricky thing to do with paint! He's not just painting a tree, he's painting a feeling, a moment in time. The blues and greens of the tree contrast with the oranges of the lights, creating an almost dream-like vision. His touch reminds me of Bonnard, with that similar intimacy. Artists are always in conversation with each other, a relay race across time. Painting is a form of embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty. This allows for multiple interpretations, a freedom to think and feel!