Reino Partanen - Birch Trees and Snow-Laden Spruces

Reino Partanen (1889-1972) Finland 

Birch Trees and Snow-Laden Spruces, 1927

oil on canvas
signed and dated 
unframed: 126 x 86 cm (49.6 x 33.9 inches)
framed: 141 x 101 cm (55.5 x 39.8 inches)

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection. 

Essay:
We are pleased to offer an exquisite painting by Finnish artist Reino Partanen (1889–1972), titled Birch Trees and Snow-Laden Spruces. Created in 1927, this impressive work measures 126 x 86 cm, capturing a serene yet dynamic winter forest scene dominated by birch trees standing amidst snow-laden spruces. Partanen’s style here, while rooted in his admiration for Ilya Repin, also reflects influences from Akseli Gallen-Kallela, showcasing his distinctive approach to capturing the Finnish landscape.

Reino Partanen, born Aleksander Reinhold Partanen in Helsinki, began his formal art education after completing secondary school. He studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, where he was influenced by Repin, and continued his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in 1905-1907. Partanen’s passion for art took him abroad, with studies in Paris and Antwerp. His debut exhibition in Helsinki in 1911 marked the beginning of a prolific career. Throughout the early 20th century, he exhibited frequently in Finland, with notable displays at the Finnish Artists’ exhibitions in 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1921.

Partanen's works were also celebrated internationally. In 1919, he exhibited in Copenhagen, and in 1923, he held a solo show in Rotterdam, where he received positive reviews from local critics. Later, in 1935, he exhibited in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg, further cementing his reputation as a respected artist.

Beyond his landscapes, Partanen painted portraits and cityscapes during his time in Viipuri, including a series featuring the iconic Pyöreä tower. His work can be found in prestigious collections, including the Ateneum Art Museum and museums in Hämeenlinna and Tampere.

Despite professional successes, Partanen faced personal challenges. In the 1930s, a fire at his family estate in Käpylä led to financial difficulties, forcing the sale of their belongings. After World War II, Partanen settled in the Puistola neighborhood of Helsinki. He was married to writer Dagmar Helena Åkerlund, and the couple is buried at Malmi Cemetery.

This painting, Birch Trees and Snow-Laden Spruces, exemplifies Partanen’s ability to translate his deep connection with nature into a beautifully composed winter scene.