Schjerfbeck and fashion at Villa Gyllenberg next spring
The spring exhibition at Villa Gyllenberg brings together stylish fashion from the past and the art of Helene Schjerfbeck. Schjerfbeck & Fashion – Art and Costume History 1880–1950 is one of the first exhibitions in Finland to present historical fashion and paintings side by side. The exhibition will run from 14 February to 9 June 2024.
![Helene Schjerfbeck, Elegant Lady (Dora), ca. 1928, oil on canvas, 37,5 x 38,5 cm, Villa Gyllenberg / Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation.](/data/images/public/69819587/70041011/689f4f55-5645-4b7b-9d2e-f35f99302923-w_720.jpg)
Schjerfbeck and fashion
Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946) loved both painting and fashion, and in her portraits the model’s attire was an integral part of the work. The birth of modern fashion coincided with Helene Schjerfbeck’s career, which spanned from the 1870s to the 1940s.
Schjerfbeck was particularly fond of French-style apparel, and French fashion magazines served as inspiration for her paintings as well. The coolly elegant figures of the women in the fashion photos, with their long necks and reddened lips, merged into the image of modern femininity embodied in works of art. Schjerfbeck’s enthusiasm for fashion is also evident in her letters to her cousin Dora Estlander, who was the model for the painting Elegant Lady (Dora), (ca. 1928). The letters from 1922–1945 are now owned by the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, and the research conducted for the exhibition is partially based on this source material.
“We want to highlight the side of Helene Schjerfbeck, and many other Finnish artists too, that loved both art and fashion. Often thought of as superficial and transient, fashion is commonly seen as the opposite of art, which is perceived as edifying and timeless. However, modern art and modern fashion are intertwined in many ways. Schjerfbeck's art and her correspondence illustrate this perfectly,” says Lotta Nylund, Chief Curator at Villa Gyllenberg.
Historical glamour
Especially in portrait art, clothing has played a key role. Alongside Schjerfbeck’s works, the exhibition presents works by more than twenty other Finnish artists related to fashion and costume history. For example, Albert Edelfelt (1854–1905) and Gunnar Berndtson (1854–1895) were inspired by the world of fashion, and costumes and textiles are central to creating atmosphere and impression in their works.
In addition to fine art, the exhibition presents about thirty costumes of the period, from leisurewear to brilliant evening dresses. The exhibition also highlights the history of costume making and atelier fashion.
“We want the exhibition visitors to see the costumes of the past and learn about the cultural history of fashion. Costumes communicate the identity and social status of their wearers, and the history of costumes helps to interpret works of art and the people appearing in them,” Nylund explains.
Artists featured in the exhibition include: Gunnar Berndtson, Väinö Blomstedt, Yngve Bäck, Birger Carlstedt, Marcus Collin, Albert Edelfelt, Ragnar Ekelund, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Olga Gummerus-Ehrström, Axel Haartman, Greta Hällfors-Sipilä, Eero Järnefelt, Erkki Koponen, Väinö Kunnas, Vilho Lampi, Yrjö Ollila, Jalmari Ruokokoski, Tyko Sallinen, Santeri Salokivi, Helene Schjerfbeck, Hugo Simberg, Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, Ilmari Vuori, Dora Wahlroos, Matti Warén, Torsten Wasastjerna and Maria Wiik.
The curators of the exhibition are art historian Marja Lahelma, fashion historian Katri Pyysalo and Villa Gyllenberg’s chief curator Lotta Nylund.
In connection with the exhibition, a richly illustrated book related to the theme of the exhibition will be published in Finnish and Swedish (Parvs Publishing Ltd). The publication contains several articles written by experts in fashion and art history. The exhibition is part of the 75th anniversary of the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation.
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00340 Helsinki
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Contacts
Lotta NylundVilla Gyllenberg
Tel:+358 40 576 1753lotta.nylund@gyllenbergs.fiSiiri OinonenVilla Gyllenberg
Tel:+358 40 825 4763siiri.oinonen@gyllenbergs.fiLinks
Villa Gyllenberg
Villa Gyllenberg is a home and art museum situated on the island of Kuusisaari in Helsinki. The museum is kept by Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation. Please check out the museum's web site for updated information about opening hours, admission, exhibitions and events.
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Nya verk av Jarmo Mäkilä på Villa Gyllenberg hösten 202427.8.2024 08:52:00 EEST | Tiedote
Villa Gyllenbergs höstutställning lyfter fram den ansedde samtidskonstnären Jarmo Mäkiläs senaste produktion. Mäkiläs realistiska målningar är själslandskap som befinner sig i ett mellanrum, på gränsen mellan det inre och det yttre. En del av de verk som visas har skapats för denna utställning och presenteras i dialog med verk från Gyllenbergs samling. Jagets utveckling samt minnenas och det undermedvetnas betydelse är centrala teman i dessa kontroversiella och känsloladdade verk. Utställningen Jarmo Mäkilä – Jag är många visas under tiden 23.10.2024–2.3.2025, kurator är författaren och konstnären Timo Valjakka. Päivi Kettunen är utställningsarkitekt.
Jarmo Mäkilän uutta tuotantoa esille Villa Gyllenbergiin syksyllä 202427.8.2024 08:52:00 EEST | Tiedote
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Villa Gyllenberg to exhibit new works by Jarmo Mäkilä in autumn 202427.8.2024 08:52:00 EEST | Press release
The Villa Gyllenberg Art Museum’s autumn exhibition presents new works by distinguished contemporary artist Jarmo Mäkilä. Mäkilä’s realistic paintings are mental landscapes occupying liminal spaces, on the borders between the inner and the outer. Some of the works have been prepared especially for this exhibition and are being presented in dialogue with art in the Gyllenberg Collection. The central themes of the works, which evoke conflicting and strong emotions, are the development of the self and the importance of memories and the subconscious. The exhibition Jarmo Mäkilä – I am a Multitude will run from 23 October 2024 to 2 March 2025. The curator of the exhibition is art critic and artist Timo Valjakka. The exhibition architect is Päivi Kettunen.
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Ennätysyleisö Villa Gyllenbergin Schjerfbeck & muoti -näyttelyssä – uusia Schjerfbeck -hankintoja esille 26.6. aukeavaan kesänäyttelyyn10.6.2024 09:35:00 EEST | Tiedote
Villa Gyllenbergin taidemuseon 9.6.2024 päättyneen Schjerfbeck & muoti – taidetta ja pukuhistoriaa 1880–1950 -näyttelyn näki yli 41 000 kävijää. Hurja yleisömäärä löi kirkkaasti museon aiemmat vuosittaiset ja näyttelykohtaiset ennätykset. Museossa avautuu seuraavaksi Ajan hengessä. Kokoelma Ane Gyllenberg -näyttely, johon tulee esille myös Signe ja Ane Gyllenbergin säätiön toukokuussa 2024 hankkimat kolme uutta teosta.
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