Beda Stjernschantz

• Beda Stjernschantz : Kaikkialla ääni kaikuu, 1895, 85,5x129,5 cm, oil, canvas (A III 1851, Antell) (42.7 kB)

The third major exponent of Finnish Symbolism, Beda Stjernschantz (1867-1910), was from the outset in a clearly weaker position for artistic work in comparison with her colleagues. Ill health and lack of funds cut her production down. Everywhere a Voice Invites Us (1895) was painted on the island of Vorms off the coast of Estonia. The inhabitants of the island were of old Swedish stock and had preserved their national characteristics, including their language The people still used the old national costumes and lived in a world which reflected ancient customs and beliefs. The painting's Symbolist content was reinforced by its connection with music, both through its subject-matter and its title.

For Beda Stjernschantz Symbolism was a force that influenced her own life and death. In her notebook she copied the words of Friedrich Nietzsche's Zarathustra: I commend to you my sort of death, voluntary death that comes to me because I wish it. And when shall I wish it? He who has a goal and an heir wants death at the time most favourable to his goal and his heir . . . Truly, I do not want to be like the rope-makers: they spin out their yarn and as a result continually go backwards themselves.

Beda Stjernschantz : Kaikkialla ääni kaikuu