Robert Wilhelm Ekman (August 13, 1808 – February 19, 1873),
a.k.a. R. W. Ekman, was a significant teacher and painter of the Finnish romantic portraits and early national romanticism.[1][2]
Childhood and Arts Education
Robert Ekman was born in
Uusikaupunki, Finland to an upper-class family. His father was
Carl Christoffer Ekman [
fi], a medical doctor and a mayor, and his mother was Sara Elisabet (maiden name Gadolin). Both of his parents died when he was approximately 10 years old. They left behind five orphans who were placed in foster homes. Their schooling was incomplete and there was no chance of higher academic education.[1]
Robert Ekman first studied art under the guidance of Finnish painter
Gustaf Wilhelm Finnberg (1784–1833), but in 1824 together with his brother Fredric, Joachim begun studies at the
Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in
Stockholm and later studied in the studio of
Johan Gustaf Sandberg (1782–1854). Already as a student Ekman specialized in portraying the life of the common people, instead of
Classicism of the
academic arts. Ekman graduated in 1836, and was granted a generous traveling scholarship for excelling in his studies. This supported him working in the
Netherlands,
France and
Italy between years 1837–1844. As the scholarship was not plausible otherwise, Ekman took Swedish citizenship.[3][4][1]
Court Painter and a Teacher
Upon returning to
Stockholm, Ekman was dubbed as an agré (member candidate) and was accepted as a member of the academy in 1844. The title included the one of royal
court and history painter. In 1845 Ekman returned to
Turku, where he began decorating the
Turku Cathedral with wall paintings. The laborious
fresco were finished in 1854. Additionally, he completed over 30 church altarpieces during his career including works at
Helsinki (1846–1848),
Sääksmäki (1847),
Viitasaari (1849), Sauvon (1853),
Oulu (1859),
Tammela (1860),
Vaasa (1861),
Pori (1863),
Paimio (1865),
Tyrvää (1866) and Perelt (1871).[5]
Having lived in Finland for ten years, Ekman regained Finnish citizenship in 1855. Having moved to
Turku, Ekman started working on art education with master painter
Carl Gustaf Söderstrand [
fi] (1800–1862). In 1846 the
Turku School of Drawing [
fi] was founded and led by Ekman until his death. He died at Turku during 1873.[6]
Robert Wilhelm Ekman (August 13, 1808 – February 19, 1873),
a.k.a. R. W. Ekman, was a significant teacher and painter of the Finnish romantic portraits and early national romanticism.[1][2]
Childhood and Arts Education
Robert Ekman was born in
Uusikaupunki, Finland to an upper-class family. His father was
Carl Christoffer Ekman [
fi], a medical doctor and a mayor, and his mother was Sara Elisabet (maiden name Gadolin). Both of his parents died when he was approximately 10 years old. They left behind five orphans who were placed in foster homes. Their schooling was incomplete and there was no chance of higher academic education.[1]
Robert Ekman first studied art under the guidance of Finnish painter
Gustaf Wilhelm Finnberg (1784–1833), but in 1824 together with his brother Fredric, Joachim begun studies at the
Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in
Stockholm and later studied in the studio of
Johan Gustaf Sandberg (1782–1854). Already as a student Ekman specialized in portraying the life of the common people, instead of
Classicism of the
academic arts. Ekman graduated in 1836, and was granted a generous traveling scholarship for excelling in his studies. This supported him working in the
Netherlands,
France and
Italy between years 1837–1844. As the scholarship was not plausible otherwise, Ekman took Swedish citizenship.[3][4][1]
Court Painter and a Teacher
Upon returning to
Stockholm, Ekman was dubbed as an agré (member candidate) and was accepted as a member of the academy in 1844. The title included the one of royal
court and history painter. In 1845 Ekman returned to
Turku, where he began decorating the
Turku Cathedral with wall paintings. The laborious
fresco were finished in 1854. Additionally, he completed over 30 church altarpieces during his career including works at
Helsinki (1846–1848),
Sääksmäki (1847),
Viitasaari (1849), Sauvon (1853),
Oulu (1859),
Tammela (1860),
Vaasa (1861),
Pori (1863),
Paimio (1865),
Tyrvää (1866) and Perelt (1871).[5]
Having lived in Finland for ten years, Ekman regained Finnish citizenship in 1855. Having moved to
Turku, Ekman started working on art education with master painter
Carl Gustaf Söderstrand [
fi] (1800–1862). In 1846 the
Turku School of Drawing [
fi] was founded and led by Ekman until his death. He died at Turku during 1873.[6]