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The Dutch are now enjoying Pekka Halonen’s art

Rijksmuseum Twenthe is presenting the first major retrospective exhibition of Pekka Halonen (1865–1933) in the Netherlands. The exhibition, ‘Pekka Halonen – Ode to Finland’, has been organised in collaboration with the Ateneum Art Museum, the Petit Palais, Rijksmuseum Twenthe and the Ordrupgaard Museum.

An art exhibition featuring paintings on the walls and art supplies in a display case at the front
Pekka Halonen’s exhibition at the Rijksmuseum Twente in the Netherlands. Photo: Minna Tuominen

At the exhibition opening held on Friday 20 March, museum director Caroline Breunesse welcomed everyone, after which Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff, director of the Ateneum, spoke about Pekka Halonen. The exhibition was officially opened by Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland’s ambassador.

A large hall packed with spectators.
The opening ceremony was held at the church in Lähde. Photo: Rijksmuseum Twenthe

The exhibition features 94 paintings, as well as items that belonged to the artist from his studio home in Halosenniemi, such as painting supplies, a kantele and skis. The works shed light on Halonen’s artistic development, from his student years in Paris to his breakthrough at the 1900 World’s Fair and his beloved winter landscapes.

Halonen’s work highlighted the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the significance of the Finnish landscape to national identity. These themes are also relevant to the current debate on the vulnerability of nature and climate change. The exhibition also features Finland’s selection as the happiest country in the world.

On the blue wall of the art exhibition, there are 12 different paintings with winter themes.
Winter paintings by Pekka Halonen. Photo: Minna Tuominen

The exhibition ‘Pekka Halonen – Ode to Finland’ opened to the public on 21 March and will run until 16 August 2026. An extensive, illustrated catalogue will be published to accompany the exhibition, and the museum will host guided tours, lectures, workshops and a major Midsummer’s Eve event.

The Ateneum’s ‘Classics to the World’ project brings visual art abroad with the support of the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation. Following its run at the Petit Palais in Paris, Pekka Halonen’s exhibition will tour the Netherlands and Denmark. The Halosenniemi Museum has been involved in planning the exhibition, and several of Halonen’s works and original artefacts from Halosenniemi will be on display from our museum’s collections.

This content has been translated using AI