Emil Wikström

Who was Emil Wikström?

Emil Wikström was a Finnish sculptor. Among his best known works are the statues outside Helsinki Central railway station and the memorials of Elias Lönnrot and Johan Vilhelm Snellman.

Emil Wikström studied art in Finnish Art Association's drawing school in Turku and Helsinki, in the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and also in Académie Julian in Paris. Wikström as well as other artists took inspiration for their art from their own country's cultural mythology. Finnish artists studied and worked in Paris. Some decided to retreat to the peace of forest as Wikström reported in a letter to Axel Gallén dated 1898. Wikström was the first to carry out his plan and he found ideal place for himself in Sääksmäki by Lake Vanaja.

Emil Wikström sculpted most of his work in Visavuori, his home and studio in Valkeakoski. Emil Wikström was the most important Finnish sculptor of his time. Best remembered for his public monuments in Helsinki, the statues in railway station, and other cities across Finland, Wikström produced portraits of many statesmen, politicians, businessmen, family and friends, as well as figures from Finnish mythology.

Visavuori was opened to the public as a museum in 1966. There many original casts and studies can be seen now.