Finnish women offer unique perspective

An exhibition dedicated to female artists in Finland, has opened at the National Art Museum of China. "Women's Rooms" offers a rare insight into fifteen Finnish painters, and their take on the country's landscape.

The exhibition also celebrates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Finland. Recognition from home and abroad.

An exhibition dedicated to female artists in Finland, has opened at the National Art Museum of China. "Women's Rooms" offers a rare insight into fifteen Finnish painters, and their take on the country's landscape.

Xiang Xiaowei, from the Ministry of Culture, Lars Baackstroom, Finnish Ambassador to China, Fan Di'an, General Director of the National Art Museum of China and Risto Ruohonen, General Director of the Finnish National Gallery jointly cut the ribbon for the exhibition.

It features 72 works by 15 female Finnish artists, from the collections of the Finnish National Gallery.

Finnish nature in various shades and seasons are a recurring theme on the canvas. From the passionate and broad brushworks in Moonlight, by 19th century landscape artist Fanny Churberg, to the serene and spiritual experience exuded from Faraway Woods by Lea Ignatius, nature has always been an important source of strength and recreation.

Finland has a deep-rooted artistic tradition. The arts began to advance there in 1846, with the founding of the Finnish Art Society. Art education was provided equally for men and women. In the upper class families, it was common practice for the daughters to get basic training in the arts. This created the basis for the strong position of women in Finnish art today.

One of the brightest stars of the Golden Age of Finnish art, Elin Danielson-Gambogi, grew up in Western Finland. In a famous self-portrait in the 1900s, Danielson-Gambogi portrayed herself in a soft light, filtered through a thin piece of fabric. She engages the viewer with a calm self-confidence, while holding brushes and a palette.

"Women's Rooms - An exhibition of Art Works by Finnish Women Artists" runs until April 13th at the National Art Museum of China, in Beijing.