Robert Wilhelm Ekman

Robert Vilhelm Ekman (1808-1873) was a Finnish painter and one of the key figures of the Golden Age of Finnish art. His work covers a wide range of themes, including religious iconography, portraits and sketches. Ekman excelled in realistic depiction and emotional expression, and vividly portrayed the Finnish landscape and people's life. His work occupies an important place in the history of Finnish art.

Robert Wilhelm Ekman Biography

• Born August 13, 1808 in Helsinki, Finland
• In 1824, he entered the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts.
• In 1837 he returned to Finland and began working as a painter.
• In the 1840s, he created works based on the Finnish national epic poem, the Kalevala.
• In 1863, he helped found the Finnish Art Society.
• Died in Turku on February 14, 1873 (aged 64)

Representative works

• Kalevala series (1840s)
• The Reading Girl (1856)
• The Peasant Wedding (1846)
• The Coronation of Alexander II (1856)

Ekman's painting style and achievements

Ekman's works are characterized by their realistic depiction and emotional expression, and vividly depict the landscapes and lives of Finnish people. He demonstrated his versatility by working in a variety of genres, including historical paintings, portraits, genre paintings, and religious paintings .

In particular, his works based on the Kalevala played an important role in raising Finnish national consciousness, and his portraits are highly regarded for their in-depth depictions of the models' personalities .

As one of the most representative painters of the Golden Age of Finnish art, Ekman 's works are held in many museums, including the Finnish National Gallery. He not only contributed to the development of Finnish art, but also passed on Finnish culture and history to future generations through his works .