Albert EdelfeltLumières de Finlande

Edelfelt, like many artists, travelled to Paris to launch his career and eventually decided to settle there. His style, which combined impressionism and realism, was soon noticed. His portrait of Louis Pasteur, for example, was acclaimed at the 1886 Salon and brought him success. Living in France, he continued to travel to Finland every summer, devoting large, sensitive compositions to his landscapes and traditions. A patriot, he fought for the independence of his country against the influence of the all-powerful Russia. This Paris retrospective is the first to be dedicated to this master who left a lasting impression on the Nordic art scene.

After the retrospectives devoted to the Swedes Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn and to the Golden Age of Danish painting, the Petit Palais continues its exploration of Nordic artists. This new monograph, organised with the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki, is dedicated to Albert Edelfelt, one of the glories of Finnish painting. Some one hundred works will trace the development of his career and show how this artist contributed greatly to the recognition of Finnish art at the end of the 19th century.