Finnish Realist Painter (1863 - 1937)

01.12.11: Biography

Born Eero Erik Nikolai Järnefelt on 8 November 1863 in Viipuri (now Vyborg and part of Russia), Finland to August Aleksander Järnefelt, an officer in the Russian army and Elisabeth Järnefelt (née Clodt von Jürgensburg). He studied at the St. Petersburg art academy between 1883 and 1885. His sister Aino Järnefelt married composer Jean Sibelius in 1892 and remained with him until his death.

From 1886 - 1888, 1889 and 1890 - 1891 he studied in Paris. He became friends with Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Emil Wikström and Louis Sparre. Jules Bastien-Lepage was a great influence.

In 1892, he travelled to Koli in Northern Karelia for the first time, a place which was to have a profound effect on his work.

He died in Helsinki on the 15 November 1937.