Who painted The Fratricide?

The Fratricide was painted by Akseli Gallen-Kallela in 1899.

Where can I see The Fratricide?

The Fratricide is held by Finnish National Gallery.

What movement is The Fratricide?

The Fratricide is associated with Symbolism.

Artwork

The Fratricide

Akseli Gallen-Kallela , 1899

The Fratricide is a tempera painting by the Symbolist artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.

About this work

Overview

The Fratricide, created in 1899 by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, is a tempera painting embodying the Symbolist movement. It depicts a dramatic, violent scene between two men, characterized by intense interaction and symbolic elements.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a tense, potentially violent encounter between two men, one threatening with a sword, the other apparently injured and defensive. The scene is set against a symbolic red archway adorned with gold accents and crosses, suggesting deeper thematic or national-romantic undertones.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the work reflects Gallen-Kallela's shift from realism to Symbolism and national-romantic themes in the 1890s. The style emphasizes dramatic symbolism over realistic detail, characteristic of the Symbolist movement.

History & Provenance

Created in 1899, The Fratricide is now part of the collection at the Ateneum, a testament to Gallen-Kallela's significant contribution to Finnish national art.

Context

The painting's creation coincides with Gallen-Kallela's exploration of national-romantic and Symbolist themes, aligning with the broader artistic movements in Europe during the late 19th century.

Legacy

As a key work by Gallen-Kallela, The Fratricide contributes to the legacy of Finnish romantic nationalism in art, illustrating the artist's influence on the country's national identity through Symbolist expression.

Artist & collection

Artist

Akseli Gallen-Kallela

Akseli Gallen-Kallela (born Axel Waldemar Gallén; 26 April 1865 – 7 March 1931) was a Finnish painter and a leading figure of Finnish romantic nationalism around the turn of the 20th century.