Akseli Gallen-Kallela Finnish 1865-1931

Elek Koronghi Lippich, Budapest (a gift from the artist; poet, writer, painter and lawyer, Koronghi Lippich was also the Hungarian Minister of Culture)
Sale: Sotheby's, London, 19 June 1990, lot 80
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Original canvas. There are some flecks of retouching to the right of the work visible under ultraviolet light, some heightening to the paint along the top of the hill, some flecks in the sky and some scattered spots notably around the lamp to the left of the work. Apart from the retouching mentioned above, a faint line of craquelure to the lamp in the foreground and a small pinhole in the lower left corner, the work is in good condition. Held in a simple wooden frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

International interest in the work of Akseli Gallen-Kallela has been gaining ground in recent years. In 1999 the National Gallery in London purchased Keitele, one of Gallen-Kallela's most  sublime landscapes, and an iconic image of Finland. During this year and last the artist has been the subject of a major retrospective in Tampere (Akseli and Young Finland, Akseli Gallen-Kallela as a Nation Builder) and in Groninger, Holland (Akseli Gallen-Kallela: The Spirit of Finland). His work formed a key component of the major exhibition A Mirror of Nature, Nordic Landscape Painting 1840-1910, which toured throughout Scandinavia and to Minneapolis in 2006. In March this year the artist was the subject of a major article in Art in America by Joe Martin Hill. Lots 365-369 have been sent for sale from different national and international collections.

Gallen-Kallela spent several months in Budapest in 1908 before leaving for Paris. His stay followed a successful exhibition of his work in Budapest in 1907. Very well received, he was encouraged to return for a longer visit the following year. Gallen-Kallela was especially drawn to the River Danube, which he painted on a number of occasions.