Ad Astra

Narrator:

What happens to people after death?

This is a question that has occupied humans since the dawn of time...

Akseli Gallen-Kallela is one of Finland's most famous artists, and like many of his colleagues at the end of the 19th century, he too was interested in the spiritual, in death, and resurrection.

However, he explored an alternative way of understanding the world and people's place in it, and had thoughts that life continues after death, and that our soul travelled to a far-away planet.

The young woman in this artwork stretches her arms “Ad Astra” – towards the stars...

Gallen-Kallela found inspiration in the world of Finnish legends and myths, which were important to the Finnish national identity.

Earlier in his career, he painted in a romantic style, but after the death of one of his daughters, he discovered a more mysterious and dramatic approach.

This painting has two gilded doors which can be closed and is reminiscent of an altarpiece from medieval churches – a modern take on devotional artworks, with a cosmic twist...

In the hands of the young woman, we see two blood-red marks – the so-called ‘stigmata’ - the symbolic scars of the crucified Jesus Christ.

We see her hair floating upwards - also symbolically representing the resurrection...

The religious symbolism of the painting is strong, and grew out of a tradition of hiding holy objects, or relics, in sculptures or paintings.

Gallen-Kallela hung this work in his home and studio in Tarvässpää, Finland, where it remained until after his death.

So... perhaps it was used as devotional art is intended – as a focus for private worship, meditation, or just a visual reminder of one’s beliefs...