AKSELI GALLEN-KALLELA. "Red and white roses" (Rose interior), signed and dated 16 V 1919, with dedication À Mlle S. Mannerheim, oil on canvas.

31x39 cm 53x62 cm Provenance; Sophy (Sophie) Mannerheim; Henrik Ramsay; private collection, then inherited
In May 1919, a major promotion was held at the University of Helsinki. Marshal Mannerheim's daughter Sophy was elected general wreath binder and she asked Kirsti Gallen-Kallela to be her assistant. Akseli Gallen-Kallela and C.G. E. Mannerheim had a close relationship 1918-1929. During the festivities, Gallen-Kallela painted both a romantic portrait of Sophy Mannerheim and a painting depicting the sea of roses for the promotion.
We would like to thank Liisa Oikari (resercher, Mannerheim museum) for her help with the catalogue text.