Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931)

Akseli Gallen-Kallela is counted among Finland's most renowned artists, born in 1865 in Pori. He studied at the Finnish Art Society's drawing school 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, "Gumma med katt", challenged the ideals of the 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, the "Kalevala." In 1900, he created dome paintings with Kalevala motifs for the Finnish pavilion at the World Exposition in Paris. His artistic language is described as often naturalistic, symbolic, and expressionistic.