FNG Research is the open-access web magazine of the Finnish National Gallery for art museum and art history professionals internationally. 

This edition of FNG Research opens with Editor-in-Chief Riitta Ojanperä’s editorial highlighting two exhibitions that broaden our collection artists international recognition: Pekka Halonen’s monographic exhibition at the Petit Palais in Paris, and Helene Schjerfbeck’s works are featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Sini Rinne-Kanto delves into the psychological landscapes of Kalervo Palsa and Edvard Munch, uncovering intriguing parallels between the two. Katariina Johde, Anne-Maria Pennonen and Hanne Tikkala present research aimed at identifying the materials and painting techniques Fanny Churberg (1845–92) used during different stages of her career, as well as her use of pigments. Our most recent research internee Hilla Petäjä explores in her article the spiritual, esoteric, and religious themes in the Collection of Eva Törnwall-Collin and Marcus Collin. Ira Westergård discusses the cultural legacy left by Anna Sinebrychoff (1830–1904), the first woman member of the Finnish Art Society, in Finnish art life. The curators of the Sinebrychoff Art Museum’s exhibition ‘Spain Behind the Myths’, Helena Alonso and J. Oscar Carrascosa, write about Spanish art and the orientalist gaze.

In addition, we report on two art history seminars held in Helsinki this year: ‘Rethinking Art Historical Objects, Documents, and Materials’ and ‘NORDIK 2025: Why so Nordic? The “Nordic” as fact and fiction in art history’.

The call for research internship at the Finnish National Gallery for 2026 is now open, and you can find application details in this issue.

Contents:  

RIITTA OJANPERÄ: Editorial: The Allure of the Nordic

KATARIINA JOHDE, ANNE-MARIA PENNONEN & HANNE TIKKALA: The Power of Paint – Fanny Churberg’s Technique in Context

SINI RINNE-KANTO: Between the Clock and the Radiator. In the rooms of Kalervo Palsa and Edvard Munch

HILLA PETÄJÄ: Spiritual, Esoteric, and Religious Exploration in the Collection of Eva Törnwall-Collin and Marcus Collin

IRA WESTERGÅRD: Anna Sinebrychoff – Building a Legacy

HELENA ALONSO & J. OSCAR CARRASCOSA: Spain – Beyond the Myths

PETRA LEHTORUUSU: Lost, Misattributed and Ubiquitous Objects – Exploring How Art History’s Research Materials Shape the Discipline 

GILL CRABBE, ANNA LUHTALA & HANNE SELKOKARI: ’NORDIK 2025 – Why so Nordic? The "Nordic" as fact and fiction in art history’ conference in Helsinki 20–22 October 2025

CALL FOR INTERNS 2026