vintage (art)

Magnus Enckell (1870-1925) was born in Hamina, in eastern Finland, his father was a priest. At the age of 19, he began his artistic studies at the Drawing School of the Finnish Art Association in Helsinki. Enckell was the first Finnish artist to break with Naturalism, which was the established style during his education. In 1891 he went to Paris for the first time, where he studied at the Academie Julian and was drawn to the Symbolist movement. Enckell was quite unihibited for his time, his love affairs with men were known and his portraits openly erotic and sensual. In 1894 and 1895 traveled to Italy discovering Renaissance and fresco techniques and a more optimistic vision of life; under the influence of Post Impressionism he left Symbolism and the dark, dull colors. In 1907 Enckell executed the commission for the altarpiece of Tampere Cathedral; the fresco shows the resurrection of people of all races, in the middle of the 10 meters wide painting two men walk hand in hand. He had exhibitions in Berlin (1903) and Paris (1908), and in Helsinki (1904); in 1922 was elected a member of the Fine Art Academy of Finland. His funeral in Stockolm in 1925 was a national event.