Figure 1.--The painting here is "Shipbuilders" (1886) (figure 1). It shows a young father and his charming two sons. He is building a model sailing vessel for the boys. The older boy's dress is interesting--a one-piece sleeveless suit (like a knee-pants shortall) worn over a white collarless shirt. I am not sure if this was a one-piece suit, or just looks like it in the painting. I have never noticed such an image earlier.

The most famous Finnish 19th-century painter was Albert Edelfelt. He brought attention to Finland because of his work. He was a so-called "academic" painter, going in for figural paintings in a fairly realistic and highly polished style. He had connections with France and was awarded the French Legion of Honor. A portrait by Edelfelt of Louis Pasteur (1885) hangs in the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. After being educated at the University of Helsinki, he went to Paris and studied painting at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. He was influenced by Manet and the impressionists to some extent. Edelfelt is known for his naturalistic style and is therefore an important source of information about historical costume. He was fond of painting children in various family and holiday settings. Edelfelt was the first Finnish artist to achieve international acclaim and was an important representative of Finnish culture abroad. His work became especially well known at the Paris Exposition in 1900.

Queen Blanka (1877)

This painting is of Queen Blanka (1877) dressed in a long white gown, playing with her young son, the prince. She is dangling him on her knee. The child is dressed in a historical costume of fanciful medieval design--a short rust-colored tunic with grey long stockings or tights. He wears a band around his full page-boy styled red hair. The painting is a historical recreation of Queen Blanka ( -1363). Finland had no royal line. Finland was for most of its history sominated by Sweden or Russia. She was born in France, the daughter born as daughter of Count of Namur. She married King Margus Ericson of Sweden. Their son was Eric, crown prince of Sweden, presumably the boy depictred in the painting. Swedish nobles tried to relace King Magnus Ericson with Prince Eric whom they styled Eric XII. Eric died, however, before his father. I believe Queen Blanka also married King Hacon of Norway.

Shipbuilders (1866)

The painting here is "Shipbuilders" (1886) (figure 1). It shows a young father and his charming two sons. He is building a model sailing vessel for the boys. The father and the eldest son have their trouser legs rolled up for wading in the water. The scene takes place obviously by the shore. The older boy's dress is interesting--a one-piece sleeveless suit (like a knee-pants shortall) worn over a white collarless shirt. I am not sure if this was a one-piece suit, or just looks like it in the painting. I have never noticed such an image earlier. The younger boy wears a similar suit which has sleeves and shows the knee-length pants fully extended. All the figures are of course in bare feet for wading. This painting illustrates late 19th-century Finnish boy's dress for play or informal occasions.

Eklof Boys on the Veranda of Villa Sjokulla (1890)

This painting is titled "Eklof Boys on the Veranda of Villa Sjokulla" (1890). I think that means that the boys' last name was Eklof and the Villa Sjokulla was the family home of the Sjokulla family. Perhaps they were neighbors or family friends. The painting depicts three Finnish boys playing with a model sailing ship. Two of the boys wear sailor suits. The youngest of the three, sporting a red beret, wears knee pants and long black stockings. The older boy, sitting down, also wears a sailor suit but apparently with long trousers. Both boys wear their sailor suits with striped middies. The third boy (at the left) seems not to be wearing a sailor suit. He is wearing some sort of dark suit with an interesting collar or hood. We can't see his legs so that it is not clear whether he wears knee pants or long trousers. Given the period, either is possible.

Created: 9:22 PM 8/25/2004
Last updated: 9:22 PM 8/25/2004