Flight from Impivaara
1907
In this intense 1907 sketch, Akseli Gallen-Kallela captures three rugged figures trudging through deep snow beneath a fiery, blood-orange sky. The scene illustrates a moment from the classic Finnish novel 'Seven Brothers', likely depicting the siblings leaving their wilderness exile at Impivaara to finally return to civilization. The rough, energetic charcoal and pastel strokes make the biting cold and the weight of their rifles feel almost tangible. Fun fact: 1907 was the very year the artist changed his name from the Swedish-sounding Axel Gallén to the Finnish Akseli Gallen-Kallela to better reflect his nationalistic pride!
- Technique
- Charcoal and pastel
- Material
- Paper