“The Defense of the Sampo”
My father loaned me his copy of this book to read when I was younger, and I loved it. This fantastic image graced the cover, and I remember staring at it to try and find a glimpse of the Sampo.
This is a tempera on canvas painting that was made in 1896 by the Finnish Symbolist and Romantic artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela. It serves as the frontispiece to Kalevala. Kalevala is the Finnish national epic that was only compiled and officially written down by Elias Lönnrot in the nineteenth century. Kalevala comprises mythology and folklore from both Finnish and Karelian origins. This helped fuel Finnish national identity, which ultimately led to the creation of the country of Finland in 1917.
This painting depicts the 43rd song in the epic poem, where Väinämöinen, the hero of the story, has stolen the Sampo from Louhi, the witch. Louhi has taken the form of a giant bird in her attempt to take the Sampo back. She was defeated and the Sampo was lost at sea. The Sampo’s physical form was never disclosed in the story, but it was known to be a magical object that brought good fortune to its owner. When Louhi took it back from the people, the land fell on hard times.
Gallen-Kallela’s bright colors and flat perspective are reminiscent of Japanese art, which was quite fashionable at the time. As a symbolist, he used his art to convey greater meaning. The defense of the mythic Sampo was representative of the Finnish people protecting their culture and ideals. It was originally commissioned by a fellow artist and was critically acclaimed when it was first shown. However, the sale fell through when the patron’s wife saw the work. In 1901, it was bought by the Turku Art Society, for which the Turku residents are forever grateful.
“The Defense of the Sampo” is currently on display at the Turku Art Museum in Turku, Finland, where it has been since 1901.
For more on Akseli Gallen-Kallela, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
