Akseli Gallen-Kallela - Toriseva 

Description

The painting shows a work on the theme of the mesmerizing Toriseva lakes ("Akseli Gallen-Kallela",
2022). Quite different from the current, the forest alongside the Toriseva River is lush and fresh. The
time of dawn is shown as the rays of the rising sun are highlighting on the river in the background.

Analyze
The painting mixes a light and dark contrast of shades purely to show the time of dawn. The artist uses
the theme of Toriseva River and how beautiful it can look at the time of dawn. It is painted with oil
paints that helped that artist show the textures and shades In all nature elements.

The artist uses different color values for the trees as well as the mountain and river to contrast the
difference between the dark and sunny aresa. The painting shows a scene of dawn on the Toriseva
Rivers.

Interpret

I think the painting is related to the beauty of nature alongside the Toriseva River especially at the time
of dawn. There is a soothing atmosphere in the picture that shows the beauty of the forest in the sunny
areas. There is also the Toriseva River in the distance shining by the falling rays of the morning sun.

Judgement

I think that this is a beautiful painting because of the style the painter used to create this image. The
contrast between the dark and sunny areas shows how beautiful the Toriseva River can be with the
rising sun and how secret (Tarja, 2022) as well.

References

1. Akseli Gallen-Kallela. (2022, September 9). In Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akseli_Gallen-Kallela
2. Tarja. (2022, September 24). The mystical gorge lakes of Toriseva are famous for their secrets.
Out in the Nature. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.outinthenature.com/the-
mystical-gorge-lakes-of-toriseva-are-famous-for-their-secrets
Akseli Gallen-Kallela - Mäntykoski Waterfall

Description

The painting is a work on the aquatic landscapes alongside the beautiful waterfall ("Akseli Gallen-
Kallela", 2022). The painting has vertical lines communicating a sense of height because they are
perpendicular to the sky above the waterfall, going downwards toward the earth.
Analyze

The painting uses a vertical approach from up to down to communicate a sense of contrast (Getty,
2022). The colors above are more vibrant but gets more satured following the vertical lines from above
to below. Mäntykoski meaning cheerful and bright highlights the joy one gets watching these beautiful
landscapes. To express this joy, the downward lines use to communicate the pace of one’s joy upon
watching the water flow down. The artist uses a slightly vibrant to saturated approach to showcases this
joy beautifully.

Interpret

In this landscape, vertical lines the tone of one’s feelings of joy and cheer going from a colorful place to a
monochrome one. I think the painting is meant to highlight the beauty of a waterfall and how only
looking at it can help us have a soothing experience of the nature. These landscapes comes in various
colors and tones and it fits it perfectly.

Judgement

I think the painting is wonderful because of the way the artist used to express one’s feelings through the
image. The beautiful contrast of a colorful tone and a slightly saturated to a monochrome bottom works
well. Not only has that, but its emphasis on what the name of the painting actually means fit perfectly.

References

1. Akseli Gallen-Kallela. (2022, September 9). In Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akseli_Gallen-Kallela
2. Getty. (n.d.). The elements of art (education at the getty). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.getty.edu/education/for_teachers/building_lessons/elements.html#:~:text=Vertic
al%20lines%20often%20communicate%20a,human%20reach%20toward%20the%20heavens.
Akseli Gallen-Kallela – Februari Fantasi

Description

The painting looks like a mysterious prediction of the white clad soldiers going towards their way
throughout glistening snowy areas in Finland’s Winter War, 1939. According to a story, the artist saw the
theme of this painting as a vision in his sleep ("Akseli Gallen-Kallela", 2022). It depicts a snowy forest
with mystical white beings marching through it.
Analyze

The painting generally depicts a sudden change in Finnish scriptures but actually talks about the
February Manifesto that was issued in 1899 (Valkonen, 2016). The aim of the Manifesto was to abolish
the enhanced cultural and managerial system given to Finland in 1869 that turned Finland into a Grand
Duchy in the beginning.

Interpret

In this painting, the artist also hid an earlier nod to his beloved sport. In those times, skiing was quite a
formal way to travel during winters. However, by the end of 1800, it became a sport days, skiing was a
normal winter form of travel and at the end of the 1800s it became seen as a sport and was also used in
later wars. The artist expressed some remnisicence to this with the tone of mostly white colors in this
painting.

Judgement

I think the painting is very mystical due to its dual-meaning nature. One can certainly see the painting as
a form of enjoying a good skiing time in winters. While others can easily interpret it as the gruesome
wars it followed. Either way, its mystical premonition using monochrome toning is very eye catching in
conveying the message.

References

1. Akseli Gallen-Kallela. (2022, September 9). In Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akseli_Gallen-Kallela
2. Valkonen, M. (2016). February Vision. Taide.art. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://taide.art/artworks/TmHnUoJZiEettkZ-fvC7QA/February-Vision