(1873-1917)
Hugo Simberg was a symbolist painter and a graphic artist of the Golden Era of Finnish art. He was supported by the acclaimed Finnish national artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela, but generally his works were seen as rather odd and strange. He painted pictures of death and devils, everpresent characters of Finnish folklore, seen in rather ironically humorous way. Simberg's poor crestfallen devils suffer the hardships of fate just like the much suffered Finnish people, and death is accepted as a part of everyday life, sometimes even as a comforting friend. And like devils, also angels can fall and hurt themsleves. With the same delicate touch Simberg dealt with the fates and dreams of common people. The forces of nature also play an important role in his paintings.
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