Tarvaspää in the 1910s photographed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Photo: Gallen-Kallela Museum

This exhibition takes the viewer to the intriguing world of artists’ homes – from wilderness cabins to the bohemian salons of the cities. It offers a look at the intellectual and concrete centre of the artist’s work, the studio.

The unique atmosphere of studios from a century ago is recreated at the Gallen-Kallela Museum with numerous exhibits presenting the work of artists and original studio items. The exhibition reflects the atmosphere of the studios of not only Akseli Gallen-Kallela but also Emil Cedercreutz, Elin Danielson, Albert Edelfelt, Pekka Halonen, Eero Järnefelt, Helene Schjefbeck, Venny Soldan-Brofelt, Ville Vallgren, Victor Westerholm, Maria Wiik and Emil Wikström. The work of artists is displayed as a process with its brushes, easels and palettes together its results, the completed works, with themes close to life describing this profession at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

A studio ”far from the crowded world of people” was a sanctuary of art inspiring thoughts to rise above the mundane. In the late 19th and early 20th century, a movement began in Finnish cultural circles that led artists to seek homes and studios in the countryside, far from the bustle of social life in the cities. Wilderness studios were built at Ruovesi, Sääksmäki and Tuusula, among other locations. In keeping with the spirit of the times, the new artist homes, the new artist homes reflected a comprehensive artist identity combining the roles of a craftsman, architect and visual artist.

”It is a rare pleasure to see a strong personality placed in a strong setting. The images of primal times that came to mind within those rough-hewn timber walls! The visions from afar that would come to the soul in this wonderful wilderness.”
(Emil Cedercreutz describing a visit to Kalela, Akseli Gallen-Kallela's studio-home)

Though combinations of workspace and a home, the studios were in a deeper sense also self-images of the artists, containing the most important possessions, as well as their tools, implements and memories. In these rooms one could sense the finely tuned atmosphere of artistic work.

“--- And then I have tried to decorate my home as cosily a possible. Cosy in a young man’s style, you know. I don’t have bird cage, but I do have fresh flowers. I spend the evenings sitting at home, smoking a cigar and drinking tea. I just sit and stare into space.”
(Akseli Gallen-Kallela in a letter to Thyra Neovius, Paris, 21 June 1888)

The grand studio homes of men were contrasted by the quite unassuming studios of women artists, which they would often rent together. For many women artists it was economically impossible to build their own studio homes, and their own rooms, their own studios, became all the more important.

Opening hours:

During the summer months 10.6.-31.8. 10-18 daily
Winter season beginning 1.9., Tue.-Sat. 10-16, Sun. 10-17

Tickets € 8/€ 4