In our country's museums we can dive deep into what kind of people we Finns are. Each museum holds fascinating stories that enrich our understanding of our common past. This time we dive into the world of the sophisticated Ateneum art collections.
The Ateneum is one of Finland's best-known art museums, with collections dating from the 19th century to the 1970s. Under its shelter, you can see Finnish and international art from fascinating perspectives. As part of the national National Gallery, Ateneum aims to promote understanding and appreciation of art.
Ateneum's main mission is to bring different people and different perspectives together in art. Art is not static, it lives and breathes through the viewer. Visitors of different ages, from different backgrounds and countries bring their own interpretations and perspectives to the Ateneum, enriching both the museum and its visitors.
The museum's collections cover a wide range of Finnish art from the early years of art school to the 1970s, and the collection of international art includes masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Marc Chagall, among others. Changing exhibitions from year to year bring together contemporary art from home and abroad.
The cultural story of the Ateneum is not only told by the artworks or architecture, but also by all the meaningful moments that people have experienced there. A moment spent in front of a work of art, an artist's story, a thought or a conversation sparked by an exhibition - they all contribute to the Ateneum's story.
This is just a glimpse of the rich cultural history of the Ateneum. We hope that this story will spark your interest in learning more about the cultural heritage of the Ateneum and other Finnish museums. Behind the doors of the Ateneum are stories of masters of Finnish and international art, and each visitor contributes to writing a new, living history of this old museum.