When we think of Finnish museum culture, many gems and treasures come to mind. The most amazing treasures can be found in different corners of Finland. Today we will take a look at one of them: the life's work of artist Venny Soldan-Brofeldt at the Ateneum.
Venny Soldan-Brofeldt's art at the Ateneum
Venny Soldan-Brofeldt (1863-1945) was the wife of artist and writer Juhani Aho. She has left a deep and clear mark on Finnish art and cultural history.
The Ateneum, the National Gallery of Finland, has a permanent exhibition of the artist's diverse oeuvre. This artist has often been described as the "queen of domestic art". Her pictures capture everyday life in all its harshness, but also in its beauty.
Everyday life in all its honesty
Soldan-Brofeldt's output includes oil paintings, woodcuts and pastels. Her works tell stories of everyday life in Finland at the time, with its joys and sorrows.
Of particular importance is his work "The Baker's Boys" (1888), in which he describes the hard work of baker's boys. The work highlights the harshness of child labour, but also shows how other people's stories can be turned into art.
The importance of the artist for cultural heritage
Venny Soldan-Brofeldt left behind a huge body of artwork that provides a detailed picture of what life was like in Finland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This importance cannot be overstated, as the artist's works open a window to the past.
To sum up, the artist Venny Soldan-Brofeldt is one of those gems of Finnish museum culture that has a special significance in the cultural history of our country. Her works in the Ateneum's collections offer visitors a unique opportunity to enter into the deepest core of Finnish everyday life. With today's story, we can better understand the images and stories of life, its hardships, beauty and simplicity, which are an integral part of Finland's cultural heritage.