Akseli Gallen-Kallela

Born:

April 26, 1865, Pori, Finland

Died:

March 7, 1931, Stockholm, Sweden

Nationality:

Finnish

Profession(s):

Painter, Printmaker, Designer, Architect

Early Life and Education

• Originally named Axel Waldemar Gallén.
• Studied at the Finnish Art Society Drawing School, Helsinki (1881-1884).
• Studied at the Académie Julian, Paris (1884-1889).

Career and Major Achievements

• A pivotal figure in Finnish art, contributing significantly to the development of a national identity through his art.
• Explored themes from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, in his paintings.
• Designed the Finnish pavilion for the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900.
• Served in the Finnish Civil War.
• Lived in and created art in East Africa (Kenya) in the early 1900s.

Notable Works

• The Great Black Woodpecker (1893)
• Aino Myth triptych (1891)
• Lemminkäinen's Mother (1897)
• Joukahainen's Revenge (1897)
• Frescoes for the Jusélius Mausoleum (1903-1904)

Legacy and Impact

Akseli Gallen-Kallela's work remains a cornerstone of Finnish national art, deeply influencing subsequent generations of artists. His interpretations of the Kalevala and his contributions to design and architecture have solidified his place as a national icon. The influence of Akseli Gallen-Kallela's biography of Abraham, though less explicit in his visual artwork, nevertheless underscores the importance of stories and narratives in shaping cultural identity and artistic themes.

Notable Exhibitions

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