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PRESS RELEASE
16 April 2015
For immediate release
A carnevalistic exhibition in honour of Akseli Gallen-Kallela at Villa Gyllenberg, Finland
Masquerades, Circus and Street Spectacles 16.9.2015–3.1.2016
A carnivalistic art exhibition in honour of the 150th anniversary of the birth of legendary Finnish artist
Akseli Gallen-Kallela shall open at Villa Gyllenberg in Helsinki, Finland, in September 2015. The
inspiration for the exhibition comes from two paintings by Gallen-Kallela in the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg
Foundation Art Collection. In addition to Gallen-Kallela’s paintings, the exhibition shall present 30
masquerade and circus paintings, as well as role portraits, by Finnish, Swedish and French artists from
the 18th to 20th centuries.
The exhibition shall feature in particular paintings from the late 19th century and early 20th century, when
masquerades were often held in Paris during the carnivals and circus art flourished in the city. Altogether
Villa Gyllenberg shall present 37 paintings by 23 different artists, including Marcus Collin, Albert Edelfelt,
Ester Helenius, Antoine Pesne and Georges Rouault. A programme of related events shall connect the
themes of the exhibition to contemporary role dressing, such as Lolita fashion and modern burlesque.
Gallen-Kallela identified with street artists – new information sought about his paintings
Akseli Gallen-Kallela studied art in Paris in the 1880s and lived the artist life to the full. At the time the artist
still used his original name Axel Gallén. In his painting Adler et Gillet (subsequently entitled Jälkisammutus
in Finnish), which will be part of the exhibition at Villa Gyllenberg, friends of the artist are dressed up as a
woman and an invalid and are collecting money after a puppet theatre performance on the street. It is
known that Gallén himself gave similar street performances with his friends to earn a little money.
Akseli Gallen-Kallela: Fairground
Akseli Gallen-Kallela: Adler et Gillet
The exhibition will also present the painting Fairground (Huvipuisto), in which Gallén depicts his friends at a
Parisian fairground where a strong man is lifting weights in front of a circus tent. The circus was a popular
theme in turn of the century art. Gallén too enjoyed watching circus performances. Perhaps he could
identify with the circus artists who, like artists, travelled around and lived bohemian lifestyles on the fringes
of society. Fin de siècle avant-garde painters fondly embraced the role of the misunderstood bohemian
artist. These two paintings by Gallén differ from the rest of his artistic output in terms of both style and
theme.
PRESS RELEASE
16 April 2015
For immediate release
“We hope to discover new information about these paintings during the exhibition, as well as about the
other paintings that will be on display. The circus theme among Finnish artists, for example, has been
studied very little. The long tradition of masquerades and cross-dressing too is little known in Finland,”
explains Project Manager Lotta Nylund.
Some of the paintings in the exhibition shall be on display for the first time ever in Finland. These include
an 18th-century role portrait by Lorens Pasch the Elder in which Hedvig Taube, the Swedish king’s mistress,
is dressed up as a nun. Paintings are being loaned to the exhibition by the Ateneum Art Museum and the
Sinebrychoff Art Museum, which are part of the Finnish National Gallery, as well as by the art museums of
Gothenburg, Hämeenlinna and Turku, the Ostrobothnian Museum, the Swedish National Museum, the
University of Stockholm and private collectors.
Antoine Pesne: The Masquerade Ball
Gösta von Hennings: Equestrienne
Lorens Pasch the Elder: Hedvig Taube
Exhibition programme and catalogue to delve deeper into the theme of the exhibition
The exhibition shall be accompanied by a programme of related events, including dramatized guided tours,
a Wednesday evening lecture series from September to November, music and more. The lectures shall
discuss the themes of street theatre and circus in fin de siècle paintings, masquerades and role portraits in
18th-century art, burlesque, comic opera and puppet theatre. Other events lined up include puppet theatre,
opera and baroque music performances, as well as a Lolita evening featuring Finnish Lolita Myrsky Ylppö.
The exhibition catalogue shall tell more about carnival and masquerade traditions, role dressing from the
18th century to the present, Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s life in Paris in the late 1880s, and the circus theme in fin
de siècle art. The authors of the exhibition catalogue are Lotta Nylund, Project Manager and Nina Zilliacus,
Chief Curator of Villa Gyllenberg, both curators of the exhibition, and art historian Anna Kortelainen.
Home museum collection on permanent display
Set in a beautiful location on the southwest shoreline of the island of Kuusisaari in West Helsinki, Villa
Gyllenberg is the former home of Ane Gyllenberg and his wife Signe Gyllenberg. The original villa was
designed by Matti Finell in 1938 and the museum extension by the architects Ålander-Packalén-Korsström
in 1977. Villa Gyllenberg opened to the public in 1980. The unique interior of the family’s home has been
preserved on the ground floor, where the furniture, paintings and sculptures are all in their original places.
Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation’s art collection consists of 350 works. The villa and its surrounding
nature form a harmonious contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.
PRESS RELEASE
16 April 2015
For immediate release
Masquerades, Circus and Street Spectacles at Villa Gyllenberg
Wed 16.9.2015 – Sun 3.1.2016
Featured artists: Jakob Björk, Alvar Cawén, Marcus Collin, Albert Edelfelt, André Foy, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Johann
Gottlieb Fridrich, Ester Helenius, Gösta von Hennings, Henri-Gabriel Ibels, Fernand Khnopff, Väinö Kunnas, Michele
Marieschi, Åke Mattas, Lorens Pasch the Elder, Antoine Pesne, Maurice Georges Poncelet, Georges Rouault, Fredrik
Wilhelm Scholander, Carl Henrik d'Unker and Jacob Willemszoon de Wet the Elder.
Opening hours:
Wed 4 pm – 8 pm
Sun 12 pm – 4 pm
Open to groups by reservation.
Address:
Villa Gyllenberg, Kuusisaarenpolku 11, 00340 Helsinki, Finland
Tel. +358-9-481 333 (during museum opening hours)
Tel. +358-9-647 390 (office)
Website and info about exhibition programme (coming soon): www.villagyllenberg.fi
Villa Gyllenberg on Facebook: www.facebook.com/villagyllenberg
Tickets:
Adults 10 €, pensioners, students and young persons (ages 15–18) 8 €, children free of charge. Combined ticket with
Didrichsen Art Museum 18 €. Two-for-one with Hbl bonus card. Free admission with Helsinki Card.
Media contact:
Anna Kari, Pink Eminence Oy, tel. +358 40 717 8185, anna (at) pinkeminence.fi
Photos:
https://pinkeminence.filecamp.com – ask for a user code from anna (at) pinkeminence.fi
Other enquiries:
Nina Zilliacus, Chief Curator, Villa Gyllenberg, tel. +358 400 832 428, nina.zilliacus (at) gyllenbergs.fi
Lotta Nylund, Project Manager, tel. +358 40 576 1753, lotta.nylund (at) gyllenbergs.fi