No connection to server

Akseli Gallen-Kallela

(Finland, 1865-1931)
Akseli Gallen-Kallela
(Finland, 1865-1931)

Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Lake landscape.

Sign.1922. Oil on canvas 40x50,5 cm.

Wear due to age and use.

Provenance

Director Juhani Heinonen (1925-2014). Thence by descent in the family.

Exhibitions

"Realismia ja kansallisromantiikkaa", The Museum of Central Finland, 2.-31.8.1986.

More information

The origin of the famous paintings of Lake Keitele by Akseli Gallen-Kallela goes back to the summer of 1904 when the artist felt severely distressed and craved the calmness of the countryside. Exhausted by numerous trips throughout Europe and still suffering from the aftermath of malaria infection, he rented a summer residence called Lintula, situated by Lake Keitele in Konginkangas. In this scenic place, Gallen-Kallela felt relaxed and had time to study the beauty and diversity of nature. Here he sensed a strong affinity with nature and, specifically, the landscapes of Central Finland had already been an essential source of inspiration at an early stage of his career. The time he spent in nature had a renewing impact on his art. At Lintula, he could perpetuate the magnificent sceneries that filled him with serenity whenever he gazed out at the lake Keitele.
The high horizon with the sky almost left outside the picture is the key element in Gallen-Kallelas paintings of Lake Keitele. Dramatic clouds can still be seen as reflections on the slightly vibrating water surface, which is divided by even lines in a dynamic zigzag pattern. This variation of even and vibrant surfaces gives a strong illusion of depth to the paintings. Simultaneously the artist has depicted a phenomenon which in folk tradition has been called the traces of Väinämöinen's boat, caused by the concurrence of streams and wind.
Gallen-Kallela painted the Keitele-motifs mainly during 1904-06, but he returned to similar lake views even later on in his career. In the 1920s, he worked on an illustration project for Kalevala, the national epic of Finland, which, however, was never completed. One of these sketches for Kalevala has a strong resemblance to the work to be sold at Helsinki Winter Sale, and it is thus very likely that this painting has a connection with the Kalevala illustrations the artist was passionate about.

In addition to the zigzag pattern on the water's surface, another element that catches the viewer's eye is the pine tree on the left. It gives an impression of a landscape that opens up from a high perspective. This way of presenting the landscape is strongly connected to the Finnish national romantic landscape painting. In addition to this, the Lake Keitele views undoubtedly have a place in the history of modern European art as well. However, the most crucial dimension is the calmness and sensitivity the paintings represent, which tell us about the artist's sacred relation to nature.
The most well-known painting of Lake Keitele by Gallen-Kallela belongs to the collections of the National Gallery in London, where it has become one of the museum's best-loved paintings.

Technical examination of the work has been executed.
The work is in the register of the Gallen-Kallela Museum.

Artist

Akseli Gallen-Kallela is counted among Finland's most famous artists, born in 1865 in Pori. He studied at the Drawing School of the Finnish Art Society in Helsinki and later at the Académie Julian in Paris. He worked across various art forms such as painting, graphics, illustrations, textiles, architecture, and even designed military uniforms. Akseli Gallen-Kallela's first significant work, 'Old Woman with a Cat,' challenged the ideals of its time and paved the way for realism in Finnish painting.

Gallen-Kallela was primarily known for his paintings and illustrations for the Finnish national epic, 'Kalevala.' In 1900, he executed dome paintings with Kalevala motifs for the Finnish pavilion at the World Exhibition in Paris. His visual language is often described as naturalistic, symbolic, and expressionistic

Read more
Auction closed
If you have a similar object we can help you with an up-to-date valuation. We have the highest final prices in Scandinavia. Contact.
Estimate
140 000 - 160 000 EUR
The auction is closed.
Purchasing info
Contact
Johan Wulff
Helsinki
Johan Wulff
Head Specialist Art
+358 (0)50 410 1377

Customer service
Please contact Customer Support for inquiries regarding transport, payment and other questions.

Sweden
Telephone hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 1 pm
+46 8-614 08 00

Finland
Telephone hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 1 pm
+358-9-668 91 10

Customer Service