Albert Edelfelt, Finland, Finnish Painter, 1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt,  Finland,   Finnish Painter,  1854~1905

 

Albert Edelfelt, Finland, Finnish Painter, 1854~1905

Albert Edelfelt was Finland's first internationally renowned artist, going from a promising young painter to a famous figure in Europe. Vincent van Gogh was one of many who liked his art. Edelfelt's major pleasures were the Parisian way of life and summers spent in his native land, therefore he declined a chair at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.

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1. Youth and academic years

In 1854, aristocratic Swedish-speaking Albert Edelfelt was born. Despite this upbringing, he experienced financial hardships growing up. When Albert was only fifteen, the family's father passed away, leaving behind significant debts. Nevertheless, throughout his early years as a painter, Albert's mother encouraged his interest in and aspirations for the arts.

 

Edelfelt thought Finnish art instruction to be archaic, despite receiving art coaching while studying languages and history at the Imperial University of Helsinki. There weren't many art collections, and the nation's artistic culture wasn't particularly stimulating. In the end, he stopped attending school, and in 1873, he began studying at the Antwerp Academy of Art. He spent six months studying historical painting before relocating to Paris to finish his education.

 

Edelfelt was persuaded that Paris was the ideal location for him to advance as a painter from the beginning. There were countless opportunities to view paintings in the city's museums and galleries. He was able to have lively debates about art because to the presence of other artists who shared his interests and an ever-expanding group of friends.

 

In addition to drawing inspiration from his contemporaries, he was also greatly influenced by earlier painters like Velazquez and Goya. In 1875, Edelfelt made his way back to Finland with the firm intention of being in Paris as quickly as possible.

 

2. Paris, plein air, and portraits

Edelfelt initially intended to pursue a career as a historical painter while studying overseas. Indeed, Queen Bianca, a picture of the medieval era, was his first piece to win widespread acclaim in Paris.

 

However, Edelfelt quickly learned that the dominant style of painting in the French capital was plein air, which depicted modern reality rather than historical scenes.

 

Edelfelt spent more than fifteen years living in Paris, yet he only produced one major outdoor painting there, The Luxembourg Gardens. His other, comparable works were influenced by Finnish subjects.

 

The epitome of modern life's attractions in the late 19th century was Paris. In addition to being the hub of art, Paris was also the metropolis of consumerism, technology, pleasure, and sensuality. A number of the lovely Parisian women Edelfelt made portraits of while he was residing there were also the subjects of his devotion.

 

Most significantly, the city gave him a chance to sell his paintings. In Finland, it would be impossible to attract the wealthy and influential of Paris as clients.

 

Portraits make up around half of Edelfelt's artwork. He painted several commissioned portraits in addition to painting anonymous female models frequently. The Portrait of Louis Pasteur is the most well-known of these. The scientific achievements of Pasteur captivated Edelfelt, who devoted months to researching his life's work and laboratory practices.

 

After the painting was completed, it became famous, propelling Edelfelt to fame as one of Europe's top portrait artists. Van Gogh had previously professed his respect for Edelfelt's ability to depict human emotions in his works a number of years before to this.

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3. Russia

The first piece by Edelfelt to be shown in a public exhibition in Russia was Queen Bianca. The painting was displayed at the Russian portion of the 1878 World Exhibition in Paris when Finland was still a separate Grand Duchy of Russia.

 

For many years, the painter maintained intimate, secret relationships with the Russian court and was even permitted to meet with Tsar Nicholas II in the Winter Palace. Additionally, he received a contract to paint several portraits of the Imperial Family's children.

 

In 1895, Edelfelt received the designation of Full Member of the Imperial Academy of Arts. Ilya Repin approached him a year later and offered him a position as a professor at the Academy. He turned down the offer because he thought St. Petersburg lacked Paris' dynamic artistic scene.

 

Finland began to become increasingly concerned about Russia's Russification strategy in the late 19th century. This significantly contributed to the increase of nationalist and patriotic feelings among Finns. Edelfelt, who served as a goodwill envoy between the two nations, never fully disassociated himself from all of this, and his sketches and paintings of the 1808–1809 Russo–Swedish War did in fact help the pro–Finland cause.

 

4. Last years

After his early years of historical painting, Edelfelt didn't return to it seriously until the Academy of Turku's opening. The University of Helsinki's Great Hall was intended to house this enormous painting, which depicts the founding of the Academy (then the University) in Turku in 1640.

 

After careful planning, Edelfelt started painting in September 1904 and finished it in January 1905 before presenting it to the university. The artwork, which reflects his responsibilities as an artist, cultural negotiator, and historian, is largely recognized as the pinnacle of his output. August 1905 saw the passing of Albert Edelfelt.

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Ryan Resatka, Los Angeles, California, Photographer, Present

 

Vladimir Kush, Russian, American, Sculpture, March 1965

 

Lori Preusch, Pasadena, California, Present