Magnus Enckell, Ellen Thesleff and Beda Stjernschantz, who all arrived in Paris during 1891, formed the core of Finnish Symbolism. Magnus Enckell (1870-1925) became the leader of the group and the movement's promulgator in Finland. He lacked the age's nationalistic ideals and their binding aims. He was unable to accept strictly national ends and turned towards art which based itself on universal intentions and achievements
The ten works that Enckell created during 1892-94 laid the
foundation for his later work as well as for Finnish Paris-influenced
Symbolism in general. These include a series of pictures of young boys
that forms a whole: a picture of man in a timeless, anonymous space,
concentrating only on his own existence. In these paintings Enckell
has omitted all possible extraneous elements, also colour as far as
possible. Being a skilful draughtsman he reduced his message into line
plus colour effects that directly emphasize the line. The simplification
applied not only to line, colour and composition, but also to the
psychological content of the pictures.
The Age of Symbolism
Magnus Enckell : Lepäävä poika
Herääminen
Poika ja pääkallo
Ellen Thesleff : Toskanalainen maisema
Kevätyö
Omakuva
Viulunsoittajatar
Beda Stjernschantz : Kaikkialla ääni kaikuu
Ville Vallgren : Ylösnousemus, kevät
Kaiku
Leski
Ruusutanssi
Hugo Simberg : Halla
Näky
Syksy
Piru padan ääressä
Sallittu
Kuoleman puutarha
Satu II
Haavoittunut enkeli
Täti