Tom of Finland: Embracing Eroticism and Queer Desire
Meet Tom of Finland, the artist that inspired the looks of Freddie Mercury, Rob Halford and the Village People. He was friends with Robert...
Joanna Kaszubowska 2 June 2026
#Finland
To Be Finnish or Not to Be: National Identity in Alvar Aalto’s Architecture
Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) is one of the most famous Finnish architects of the 20th century connected with modernism. His style has been associated...
Catherine Razafindralambo 11 May 2026
Marvellous Moomin Madness
Explore the world of Tove Jansson's Moomins, where adventure, friendship and a love of nature create a delightful narrative for readers of all ages.
Candy Bedworth 2 April 2026
10 Paintings by Helene Schjerfbeck That You’ll Never Forget
Helene Schjerfbeck, famous in her native Finland, is not nearly as well known in the rest of the world. A genuine one-off, she studied in Paris and...
Catriona Miller 11 March 2026
10 Nordic Women Artists You Should Know
Forget everything you know about Nordic culture just being about Vikings, IKEA, and excessive coffee consumption. The Nordic countries have produced...
Joanna Kaszubowska 11 March 2026
From Finland with Love: Akseli Gallen-Kallela in 10 Paintings
Akseli Gallen‑Kallela (1865–1931), one of Finland’s most famous painters, holds a distinctive place in European art at the turn of the 20th...
Catherine Razafindralambo 19 February 2026
Tove Jansson’s Life of Wonders
Best known for the Moomins from her series of novels, comic strips, and short stories, Tove Jansson was an illustrator, painter, and writer. Born in...
Natalia Tiberio 28 July 2025
Ellen Thesleff: The Finnish Artist Who Painted Like a God
Ellen Thesleff was no ordinary artist. She swaggered through the Finnish countryside in men’s clothing, declared she could “paint like a...
Joanna Kaszubowska 24 July 2025
Masterpiece Story: Nocturne by Vilho Lampi
Vilho Lampi’s Nocturne is a masterpiece of Finnish Expressionism that explores the complex relationship between the artist and his...
James W Singer 9 February 2025
Modernizing the Sacrum? The Church of the Three Crosses by Alvar Aalto
When we hear the word “church” the image it evokes is typically either a striking, tall gothic structure or an opulent baroque façade and...
Joanna Kaszubowska 7 March 2024
Helene Schjerfbeck: A Finnish Gem
I want to share with you my latest discovery: the art of Helene Schjerfbeck, an unknown gem of Finnish painting. She began her work during the...
Magda Michalska 12 December 2022
