Albert Edelfelt
"BY THE LATHE".
Sign. Drawing 25,5x33 cm.
More information
By the Lathe.
"Saviour of the Motherland" - warlord Magnus Stenbock (1664-1717) was held prisoner in Fredrikshavn citadel, north of Copenhagen, since 1713. To escape his destiny of imprisonment, where he died of misery, he is carving a castle of dreams out of ivory.
Original illustrations for Carl Snoilsky's opus Svenska Bilder, Stockholm 1894, executed in 1891-1894, by Albert Edelfelt. Publisher Nils Geber had the works that were to be printed, framed and hung in his home to the dismay of Edelfelt.
Designer
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.
Read more