Albert Edelfelt

The exhibition provides an overarching view of the life’s work of one of Finland’s most renowned and popular artists. Edelfelt made a notable international impact, and after settling and launching a career in Paris, paved the way and created contacts for other Finnish artists to follow.

  • 5.5.–17.9.2023
3rd floor
Tickets: with a museum ticket
Edelfelt, Albert: Self-Portrait in Dress of the 17th Century (1889), National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum. Photo: National Gallery / Jenni Nurminen

An international perspective on a Finnish master

As well as being a pre-eminent artist, Albert Edelfelt (1854–1905) was socially skillful and spoke several languages. He travelled widely across Europe and the Nordics and lived a large portion of his life in Paris. While living and working in France, he met several of the leading names in the field of arts, culture and science as well as art collectors and dealers.

Edelfelt is a widely researched figure, which speaks to his central role in the history of Finnish art.
Prior to the Ateneum Art Museum, the Edelfelt retrospective toured Petit Palais in Paris and the Gothenburg Museum of Art.

Received to wide public acclaim, the exhibitions have produced further research and new knowledge on Edelfelt’s life and career. The exhibition and the accompanying catalogue open up completely new perspectives into the artist’s career.

The exhibition is curated by Anne-Maria Pennonen and Hanne Selkokari, Curators at the Ateneum Art Museum.

Read more about the touring exhibition

Artworks at the exhibition

  • In the picture there are girls in a rowing boat on a sunny lake.
  • The picture is a portrait of a woman who stands in front of a green wall in a black dress.
  • In the picture there are sailboats
  • The photo shows a young girl staring. She wears a red hat and black shirt.
  • Sun setting at the ridge. In front of the picture there are little trees and roots.
  • The picture shows white water lilies on dark water.