Helene Schjerfbeck

Though little known outside her native country, Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946) is one of Finland's best-loved artists. Her career, which stretched from the late 1870s to the end of the Second World War, encompassed both Impressionism and Modernism. This book records an exhibition that marks the first time her works have been seen in the UK since she exhibited in London herself in 1890. It presents the full range of her exceptional paintings and drawings, with 70 works in all genres, including portrait, landscape and still-life. Schjerfbeck's technique, her social and cultural context and her legacy are all examined in depth by the authors. Her influence on such artists as Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Frank Auerbach is considered, while a series of self-portraits reveals the artist from youth to old age. The book also explores the role of the masquerade in Schjerfbeck's work, and the impact of old-master paintings on her practice. AUTHORS: Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff is chief curator at the Ateneum Art Museum / Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki. The art historian Jeremy Lewison was formerly Director of Collections at Tate. Susanna Petterson is Director of the Ateneum Art Museum / Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki. SELLING POINT: . A new study examining the life and work of Helene Schjerfbeck, the Finnish painter who influenced Bacon, Freud and Auerbach 120 colour images

“[T]here's a 'modern' aspect to many of Schjerfbeck's images. Right from the off, the women in her portraits look alive, real and healthy.... This is what makes Schjerfbeck fascinating. Instead of tapering off into rehearsed formulas, her art gets better as it heads from start to finish.”

an utterly riveting view of the Finnish Munch... you are in for the most wonderfully striking surpise.--Rachel Campbell-Johnston "New York Times"
[Helene Schjerfbeck] reworked her paintings with brushes, palette knives and even sandpaper to get her distinctive look, which involves amazingly subtle shifts of tone and a superb line that pins things down, hemming in floating colours and shapes, fine as dressmaker's chalk.--Laura Cumming "Guardian"
--Rosemary Waugh "Time Out"
Her paintings of her mother, which irresistibly recall Whistler are wonderful: affectionate without being sentimental and with a daughter's eye to detail.... This is an overdue tribute to a very considerable artist.--Melanie McDonagh "Evening Standard"
Impressively informative, beautifully illustrated, exceptionally organized and presented, "Helene Schjerfbeck" showcases the life and career of an extraordinary artist...--James Cox "Midwest Book Review"

Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff is chief curator at the Ateneum Art Museum / Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki. Rebecca Bray is Assistant Curator at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. Desiree de Chair is an art historian and curator. Jeremy Lewison is an art historian and curator. He was formerly Director of Collections at Tate.

Though little known outside her native country, Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946) is one of Finland's best-loved artists, and has influenced artists far beyond its borders. Her career, which stretched from the late 1870s to the end of World War II, spanned both impressionism and modernism. Helene Schjerfbeck is published to accompany a major survey exhibition at London's Royal Academy of the Arts, the artist's first solo exhibition in the UK since she exhibited in London in 1890. The full range of her exceptional work is presented, with 70 paintings in all genres, including portraits and self-portraits, landscapes and still lifes. With essays about Schjerfbeck's technique, her social and cultural context and her influence on later artists such as Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Frank Auerbach, this volume offers a thorough introduction to the artist's work and legacy.

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