Magnus, Wilhelm and Ferdinand von Wright are best known for their paintings of birds, but the brothers also had divergent artistic and scientific careers. They lived and travelled in various parts of Finland and Sweden, including Haminalahti near Kuopio, Helsinki, Stockholm and Orust island in western Sweden. Magnus and Ferdinand also made short study trips to Germany. Besides bird paintings, their work includes portraits, landscapes and scientific illustrations of plants, butterflies, fish and other animals.
This lavishly-illustrated exhibition catalogue features entirely new research and perspectives. The book presents a wide-ranging view of the brothers’ art and careers from the standpoints of travel, scientific illustration, scientific history, art conservation and accounts of how their works were acquired. There are 13 articles by experts, as well as interviews with contemporary artists Sanna Kannisto and Jussi Heikkilä. These artists are also taking part in the exhibition.

The Ateneum exhibition on the von Wright brothers’ art is part of the museum’s special programming to honour the centenary of Finnish independence. The exhibition opens in October 2017 and continues into the spring of 2018. It will then be displayed in smaller form at the Kuopio Art Museum and at the Tikanoja Art Museum in Vaasa.

Editors: Erkki Anttonen & Anne-Maria Pennonen
Writers: Anne-Maria Pennonen (M.A.), Dr Erkki Anttonen, Dr Julia Donner, Dr Allan Tiitta, Prof. Anto Leikola, Adjunct Prof. Juhani Lokki, Adjunct Prof. Torsten Stjernberg, Museum Director, Adjunct Prof. Susanna Pettersson, Dr Hanna-Leena Paloposki, Helena Hätönen (M.A.) and conservators Kirsi Hiltunen, Katariina Johde, Hanne Mannerheimo and Seppo Hornytzkyj