Artwork
Asetelma
Asetelma is an unspecified painting by Jorma Gallen-Kallela. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1928, Jorma Gallen‑Kallela’s painting Asetelma presents a modest still‑life arrangement. The composition is set before a curtain‑lined backdrop, with a central table bearing a blue‑and‑white plate, two lemons, a glass, and a dark bottle. Adjacent objects include a white cloth, a blue vase, and a red item that may be a book, all rendered with careful attention to placement and form.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on everyday objects, inviting contemplation of their material qualities and spatial relationships. The juxtaposition of bright citrus against muted tones, and the inclusion of a possible book, suggest a quiet domestic scene that balances utility with aesthetic consideration, reflecting a moment of quiet observation.
Technique & Style
Gallen‑Kallela employs chiaroscuro to model the forms, using light and shadow to generate depth and a sense of three‑dimensionality. The contrast between illuminated surfaces—such as the glossy plate and lemons—and the darker surrounding drapery enhances texture, while the restrained palette underscores the composition’s calm atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Asetelma originates from the late 1920s, a period when Gallen‑Kallela explored still‑life subjects alongside his more widely known mythic themes. The painting’s early ownership records are limited, but it remains attributed to the artist’s mature phase, illustrating his continued interest in domestic motifs during that decade.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jorma Gallen-Kallela was a Finnish artist. He followed in the footsteps of his father, the famed artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela.
