Akseli Gallen-Kallela: Finnland erfinden / Picturing Finland

Exhibition at the Belvedere Museum, Vienna, 27 September 2024 - 2 February 2025

Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931) was Finland's most famous progressive artist around 1900 and a major figure in international modern art. At the turn of the century, Finland was a grand duchy seeking to free itself from Russian domination. Gallen-Kallela's depictions of the Finnish people, myths and nature played a key role in shaping the country's identity. At the same time, his modern visual language, developed in a constant dialogue between Finnish sources of inspiration and the influences of artistic centres such as Paris, Berlin, London and Vienna, has earned him international renown.

This exhibition catalogue analyses Gallen-Kallela's artistic engagement with his country and its people, the Finnish national epic Kalevala, the idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art) and the Nordic landscape. The international dimension of Gallen-Kallela's art is highlighted by his contributions to the Vienna Secession exhibitions of 1901/02 and 1904.