From Wonder to Wonder – Akseli Gallen-Kallela as a Collector

The exhibition offers a peek into the collection assembled by Akseli Gallen-Kallela – his so-called exotic souvenirs and the cultural-historical treasures the family cherished. The collection of objects is complemented by paintings depicting Gallen-Kallela’s travel destinations, as well as works of fine art and applied art that reflect the influences of various cultures.

Gallen-Kallela’s passion for collecting began in his youth, and the fashionable Japanese objects he acquired in Paris in the 1880s tell the story of a flâneur in tune with his times, who thrived in the frenetic pace of big-city life – and longed for the silence of the wilderness as a counterbalance.

The exhibition also explores the curiosities of his collection: masks that conceal, reveal and tell stories. In the 19th and 20th centuries, artists who were interested in the avant garde and primitivism discovered masks as a theme for their art. Gallen-Kallela also acquired on his travels a small collection of masks, which enchanted the artist with their mystery. Imaginative faces, masks and masquerade themes can also be found in the artist’s works.

Egyptian culture, with its rich imagery, fascinated theosophists, scholars, and artists, who viewed the country as a source of unexplored and secret knowledge. The Gallen-Kallelas became more profoundly acquainted with Minarets, pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx as they spent four weeks in Egypt on their return journey from East Africa. The family stopped in Egypt to get used to the change in climate but also to visit the museums and local sights. Whilst there, the collector also expanded his collection, which had already grown significantly during the family’s two-year East Africa trip.