Artwork
Dekoratiivinen maalaus
Dekoratiivinen maalaus is an unspecified painting by Yrjö Ollila. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Dekoratiivinen maalaus, executed around 1919 by Finnish painter Yrjö Ollila, depicts a tranquil seaside tableau. The composition centers on a woman reclining on a towel with a small child seated nearby, both oriented toward the gentle horizon. The sky is rendered in muted blues and pinks, while the sand glows in warm yellows and oranges, evoking a leisurely summer atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents an intimate moment of leisure, emphasizing the quiet bond between mother and child in a coastal setting. The relaxed posture of the figures and the soft, sun‑lit environment suggest themes of domestic tranquility and the simple pleasures of summertime recreation, reflecting early‑20th‑century Nordic interest in everyday life.
Technique & Style
Ollila employs a pronounced impasto technique, applying paint in thick, tactile strokes that give the surface a sculptural quality. The brushwork remains visible, contributing to a slightly blurred, luminous effect that captures the heat and light of a summer day. The palette balances bright, saturated hues with subtle tonal shifts, characteristic of post‑impressionist influences.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1919, the painting belongs to the period when Ollila explored decorative motifs and domestic scenes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in Finnish art surveys of the early twentieth century and is representative of the artist’s output during the post‑World War I era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Yrjö Aleksanteri Ollila (20 July 1887, Helsinki – 14 November 1932, Helsinki) was a Finnish Impressionist painter, designer and muralist.
