The Landscape of the Düsseldorf School - Idealism, Serenity, Fervour

Biedermeier's conception of art had a long-standing influence on Finnish art. But very soon it was joined by the Düsseldorf style which had a clearer and more precise artistic purpose. The Düsseldorf style too was subjected to influence from previous nationalist ideals, since the patriotic revival was still going on.

The Düsseldorf Art Academy had a marked influence on German and Nordic art in the middle of the 19th century. At the time it favoured descriptions of bourgeois and peasant life as well as landscapes. For Finland the latter turned out to be of decisive importance, for most of the Finns who went to Düsseldorf concentrated on lanscape painting for which there had been hardly any tradition in Finland.

The Düsseldorf school did not comprise a completely set programme for the making of art, although the priciples of the academy were quite apparent. It taught landscape painting on the basis of a close study of nature. All kinds of details from nature, from the most insignificant pieces of bark to moss-covered stones or tree stumps were carefully recorded by drawing or painting. In the studio these fragmentary notes were combined to form complete landscapes, the aim being to create an 'ideal' landscape of maximum beauty. An ideal Düsseldorf landscape might even be put together using elements gathered from several countries.

At the beginning of the Düsseldorf period the Art Society's struggles to produce a body of professional artists had begun to bear fruit. It was now possible to speak of a whole profession of artists in Finland, in stead of a few individuals.

The Landscape of the Düsseldorf School - Idealism, Serenity, Fervour