Ateneum

From the Art Association to the National Gallery

Today's National Gallery has its origins in the art collection of the Finnish Art Association. It was founded in 1846 and exhibited the collected works for the first time in 1863. The Ateneum, on the other hand, was not built until 1887, according to plans by Theodor Höijer. However, the first public exhibition of the art collection is considered the birth of the Finnish National Gallery.

As one of the most significant examples of the Neo-Renaissance in Finland, the Ateneum attracts visitors from all over the world. The building is also mentioned in just about every tour of Helsinki. The building's numerous reliefs in particular attract attention. These and the sculptures that adorn the facade are works by Carl Sjöstrand. If you take a closer look at the facade, you will notice that famous artists have been immortalized here. Among others, busts of the architect Bramante, the painter Raphael and the sculptor Phidias can be seen above the main entrance. A triangular pediment supported by four caryatids pays homage to classical architecture. Each caryatid represents one of the classical art movements. In addition, there is a group of figures that pay homage to the allegorical goddess of art. In the reliefs, on the other hand, Finnish and international artists were immortalized.

During the early years, the Ateneum was fondly referred to by the citizens as the "Palace of the Million Marks". At that time, the building was also used as a drawing school of the Finnish Art Society and as a school of applied arts, and offices of the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design were also housed in the Ateneum.

Masterpieces that inspire

With an art collection that is second to none, the Ateneum can inspire any art lover. The permanent exhibition "The History of Finnish Art" is particularly popular. The collection includes works by great Finnish artists. Starting with works from the 18th century to modern times, the exhibition presents unique exhibits. Works by great artists such as Eero Järnefelt, Helene Schjerfbeck, Hugo Simberg, Pekka Halonen and Albert Edelfelt are part of a collection of 4300 paintings and 750 sculptures.

The collection of international art includes more than 650 works. Here can be discovered works of art by Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall, Auguste Rodin and Francisco de Goya. The work Auvers-sur-Oise by Vincent van Gogh is of particular importance for the Ateneum, as it entered the collection in 1903, making the Finnish National Gallery the first museum in the world to own a van Gogh.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the gallery also presents temporary exhibitions, offers guided tours and workshops. It is also always worth taking a look at the Ateneum's calendar of events, as small concerts are regularly held here or lectures or lecture series are offered. If, while strolling through the exhibition rooms, one or the other work of art looks familiar, you should consider whether you have already admired it in another museum. The Helsinki Art Museum occasionally lets works of art from its extensive art collection go on loan for a limited period of time, so that art lovers all over the world have the opportunity to marvel at one or the other work.