Beloved work of art

Ferdinand von Wright

The 0.90 euro stamp issued on 3 March depicts the famous painting by Ferdinand von Wright (1822-1906), The Fighting Capercailles (1886, 124 x 188.5 cm, oil, canvas). This work, greatly admired by the Finns, is in the collections of the Ateneum Art Museum. The stamp was designed by Ms Marita Soukka, graphic designer.

Fighting Capercailles

Ferdinand was the youngest of the von Wright's painter brothers. The family lived near Kuopio, and Ferdinand died at his birthplace, Haminanlahti manor. He was mainly a self-educated artist. He studied for a little time at the Academy of Art in Stockholm, but his elder brothers Magnus and Wilhelm were his main teachers. He made a short study trip to Dresden in 1858. Unlike his brothers, Ferdinand von Wright used to include dramatics in his nature pictures, often depicting catching or test of strength, as in the large, impressive painting The Fighting Capercailles. The work is a gem of his late production. It was warmly welcomed and significantly raised the appreciation of this aged hermit artist. The work has during the decades had a special place in the hearts of the Finns. It is one of the best known and most widely copied Finnish works of art.
Stamp issue: Finland, March 2003

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