From Wonder to Wonder – Akseli Gallen-Kallela as a Collector 31 October 2026 – 28 February 2027

The exhibition offers a peek into the collection assembled by Akseli Gallen-Kallela – his so-called exotic souvenirs and the cultural-historical treasures cherished by the family. The collection of objects is complemented by paintings depicting Gallen-Kallela’s travel destinations, as well as works of fine art and applied art that reflect the influences of various cultures.

Gallen-Kallela’s passion for collecting began in his youth, and the fashionable Japanese objects he acquired in Paris in the 1880s tell the story of a flâneur in tune with his times searching and recording the cultural traces and trends of the surrounding world. These influences were reflected in the artist’s works of art – either as visual stories or evocative suggestions. Despite the impressive collection of objects and his plans, Gallen-Kallela never travelled to Japan. 

In the 19th and 20th centuries, artists who were interested in the avant garde and primitivism discovered masks as a theme for their art. Gallen-Kallela’s personal collection of objects also included a small collection of masks he acquired on his travels and some that he made. Imaginative faces, masks and masquerade themes can also be found in the artist’s other works of art. 

Egyptian culture, with its rich imagery, fascinated theosophists, scholars, and artists, who viewed the country as a source of unexplored and secret knowledge. The Gallen-Kallelas became more profoundly acquainted with Minarets, Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx as they spent four weeks in Cairo, Egypt on their return journey from East Africa. The family stopped in Egypt to get used to the change in climate but also to visit the museums and local sights. The artworks produced in Cairo in the 1910s depict the popular tourist destination with its famous landmarks.    

In Egypt, the artist bought souvenirs that were sold in the bazaars and museums near the tourist destinations. They complemented the collection assembled during Gallen-Kallela’s East Africa travels, which includes natural science materials as well as ethnographic artefacts. For the artist, collecting ethnographic artefacts was, in part, a form of cultural preservation, but it was also a way to embrace an unfamiliar reality.  

Journalists can visit our museum free of charge by obtaining accreditation in advance via info@gallen-kallela.fi.