Akseli Gallen-Kallela

Acquired by the grandfather of the present owner in the early twentieth century, probably directly from the artist

The canvas has not been lined. Under ultraviolet light there are no visible signs of retouching (some areas of old varnish fluoresce an opaque green, and some of the pigments appear to fluoresce although these certainly appear to be the artist's original and not retouching). Apart from a very faint, minor 9cm diagonal surface scratch in the green foliage of the rightmost tree and some minor spots of paint flaking in the centre of its trunk (both visible in the catalogue illustration) this painting is in very good original condition, and its appearance could be further enhanced if desired with a light surface clean. Held in a decorative gilt frame. The colours are deeper and less saturated than in the catalogue illustration, with less of an intense green/orange overall.
"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."

The present expansive bird's eye view, looking either across Lake Keitele or over Lake Ruovesi, records the calm waters and majestic shoreline of an autumn scene. The contrast of the flat surface of the lake with the strong vertical forms of the trees creates a reassuring structure and a contemplative mood; a poetic panoramic sliver of Finnish countryside that expresses the nation's primal instinct to define its sense of self through its landscape.

After centuries of Swedish rule, in 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars Finland had become an autonomous Grand Duchy of Czarist Russia. Yet for Gallen-Kallela, like the vast majority of the Finnish people, patriotism and the quest to define their national identity remained a vital force within them. But in 1899 the Czar, the appointed Grand Duke of Finland, reneged on the promise honoured by his predecessors to respect Finnish laws and priviliges, and in his February manifeso abolished the country's most important special rights. It was in the face of this heightened tension with Finland's Imperialist neighbour that Gallen-Kallela helped so incisively to give form to the Finnish spirit, painting the Finnish legends, building his wilderness studio Kalela and transcribing the Finnish landscape into what Janne Gallen-Kallela-Sirén has aptly described as a 'codex of national identity'.

That Gallen-Kallela's landscapes became so analagous to the will of the Finnish people, was due in large degree to the original vantage points that he adopted in order to record the scene before him. The 'crow's nest' view point in the present painting is similar to that which he enjoyed from the roof his wilderness studio.  But  whether panning tree tops, or focusing on a particular rocky outdrop (lot 205) while his documenting is coolly dispassionate, his message proved highly emotive.