Scenery sketch for G. Ibsen’s drama Little Eyolf Alexander Golovin (1863-1930)

The work presents a richly detailed interior space, seemingly intended as a preparatory sketch for a theatrical production. Here we see a room defined by its expansive windows and abundant ornamentation, suggesting a comfortable, perhaps even opulent domestic setting. The perspective is somewhat flattened, creating an almost panoramic view of the interior rather than a deeply receding one.
The color palette is dominated by greens and blues, lending a cool, slightly melancholic atmosphere to the scene. These hues are punctuated by touches of yellow and pink, which introduce a sense of vibrancy but do not entirely dispel the overall feeling of restraint. The walls are covered in patterned wallpaper, its design repetitive and somewhat overwhelming, contributing to an impression of confinement despite the large windows.
Furniture is densely arranged throughout the room: chairs, tables, sofas, and decorative objects fill every available space. Their placement appears deliberate but lacks a clear sense of order; they seem almost haphazardly grouped together. This arrangement contributes to a feeling of clutteredness, hinting at an underlying tension or emotional disarray within the depicted household.
The windows offer glimpses of an exterior landscape – a suggestion of trees and sky – but these views are fragmented and partially obscured by the interior’s density. The light filtering through the windows is diffused, lacking strong contrasts, which further softens the scene but also diminishes its clarity.
Subtly, a dark shape appears in the center foreground; it resembles a human figure, though indistinct and seemingly absorbed into the surrounding décor. This ambiguous presence introduces an element of unease, suggesting a hidden observer or perhaps a symbolic representation of emotional weight within the narrative context. The overall effect is one of stifled beauty and latent psychological complexity – a space that appears outwardly pleasant but harbors unspoken anxieties and unresolved tensions, perfectly aligning with the themes often explored in dramatic works concerning familial relationships and personal struggles.