Kullervo Sets Off for War

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]

Kullervo Sets Off for War
Finnish: Kullervon sotaanlähtö
Gallen-Kallela's tempera version from 1901.
ArtistAkseli Gallen-Kallela
Year1901
MediumMural & Tempera
Dimensions355 cm x 687 cm (mural)
89 cm x 128 cm (tempera)
LocationMural: Old Student House
Tempera: Ateneum, Helsinki
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. "Gallen-Kallela, Akseli Kullervon sotaanlähtö 1901". Finnish National Gallery. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  2. "Venues". Vanha Ylioppilastalo. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  3. "Invitation to opening ceremony 22.3.1901". Finna (in Finnish).
  4. Kalevala: Songs 31–36 - The Kullervo cycle.
  5. Sederholm, Helena (2 October 2013). "Kuvat syntyvät kuvista". Artenoux. Retrieved 12 May 2020.


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