Albert Edelfelt

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Edelfelt executed the painting in autumn 1877, and showed it late the same year to his teacher, the academician Jean-Leon Gérôme, under whom he studied at the École des Beaux-Art's. Ellan von Born, Edelfelts widow, sold the painting through Art Salon Bäcksbacka in 1919 to the journalist J. Karhu, from whom the present owners acquired it.

"Svenska hävder genom konstnärögon" 1960, Retretti 1983. Edelfelt's 150-year Memorial Exhibition, Ateneum 2004-2005, no 25.

Hintze, illustrated on page 26. No 25 in Albert Edelfelt's jubilee publication, whole page illustration on page 41. A letter to C. G. Estlander, Paris 23.3. 1878. Mentioned on several letters to the artists mother Alexandra, which are partly published in the publication "Ur Albert Edelfelts brev, Drottning Blanca och Hertig Carl" 1917, pages 90 and 123.

Albert Edelfelt is considered one of Finland's greatest artists of the 19th century. After studying in Antwerp and Paris, he settled in France, where he received several exhibition medals and was honored with the Legion of Honour, notably for the famous portrait of Pasteur. He was also summoned by Alexander III to St. Petersburg to portray the Tsar's children. Edelfelt often returned to themes from Finnish history, such as his illustrations for 'The Tales of Ensign Stål.'

Edelfelt's works display an artistic breadth that ranges from everyday life in the Finnish archipelago to prestigious society portraits and historical paintings. In his depictions of everyday life, he managed to merge traditional academic painting with the new techniques of plein air painting, which achieved great success in France. The painting 'The Funeral of a Child' was awarded a third-class medal at the annual Salon in Paris in 1880, marking the most significant international success for Finnish painting at the time.

Albert Edelfelt is primarily represented in Ateneum in Helsinki, but also in the National Museum in Stockholm, as well as museums in Copenhagen, Luxembourg, and Paris.