Kullervo_Sets_Off_for_War

<i>Kullervo Sets Off for War</i>

Kullervo Sets Off for War

Painting by Akseli Gallen-Kallela

Kullervo Sets Off for War (Finnish: Kullervon sotaanlähtö) is a painting by Akseli Gallen-Kallela from the year 1901. He painted the subject in tempera painting (89 × 128 cm)[1] and as a fresco (355 × 687 cm) which is located in the music hall of Old Student House of Helsinki University.[2]

Quick Facts Kullervo Sets Off for War, Artist ...
The fresco at Old Student House

Description

The fresco was donated to the Students' union by Otto Donner.[3]

The theme for the painting is from the Kalevala, national epic of Finland. Kullervo sits on a white horse ready to ride to war, to take revenge on his uncle Untamo.[4] He is followed by a dog or a wolf.

Gallen-Kallela traveled to Siena, Italy, where he likely saw the frescoes by Simone Martini in the Palazzo Pubblico. Martini's Equestrian portrait probably gave Gallen-Kallela inspiration for the setting of Kullervo.[5]

References

  1. [1]
    "Gallen-Kallela, Akseli Kullervon sotaanlähtö 1901". Finnish National Gallery. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  2. [2]
    "Venues". Vanha Ylioppilastalo. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  3. [3]
    "Invitation to opening ceremony 22.3.1901". Finna (in Finnish).
  4. [4]
    Kalevala: Songs 31–36 - The Kullervo cycle.
  5. [5]
    Sederholm, Helena (2 October 2013). "Kuvat syntyvät kuvista". Artenoux. Retrieved 12 May 2020.


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