Ad Astra
1894–96
Medium
Oil on canvas, in artist's painted and gilded wood shrine
Dimensions
Canvas: 76 × 85 cm (29 15/16 × 33 7/16 in.); Framed: 129.6 × 116.9 × 14.7 cm (51 1/16 × 46 1/16 × 5 13/16 in.)
Classification
oil on canvas
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
234877
Art Historical Context
**Ad Astra** (1894–96) by Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kalle captures a moment of transcendent aspiration, its title translating from Latin as "to the stars." during Finland's National Romantic era, when artists drew inspiration from folklore and mythology amid growing calls for independence from Russian rule, this oil on canvas reflects Gallen-Kallela mastery of Symbolism. His style blends ethereal mysticism with bold, decorative forms influenced by Art Nouveau, evoking the soul's journey toward the infinite. What sets **Ad Astra** apart is its presentation: the canvas is housed in a custom ...