In January 2021, at a celebratory event held at Savonlinna City Hall, the historical portrait I painted of explorer Erik Laxman, who lived and worked in the 18th century, was unveiled. I unveiled the portrait together with Minister of Science and Culture Hanna Kosonen.
The Ambassador of Japan, Takachi Murata, also attended the event. The artwork was donated to Erik Laxman's hometown of Savonlinna by the Kauko Sorjonen Foundation in collaboration with Esmo Pekonen, and it has been placed in the Savonlinna City collection.
Painting this portrait was a great honor and pleasure for me. Working on a historical portrait is an extremely interesting and even captivating process. During the work, I made several sketches, explored the color palette, and sought the best proportions for the composition. While painting, I occasionally immersed myself in the atmosphere of the 18th century: I delved into the history, costumes, and style of the era, while simultaneously maintaining my own modern artistic perspective.
Painting this portrait felt like pulling a thread through centuries. Through art and science, we can connect different eras and build a new understanding of history.
Erik Laxman's life could be described as a modern thriller. His story intertwines international relations and adventures in various countries – Sweden, Russia, Finland, Japan, and even Portugal.
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