Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s ceiling fresco survives fire and decay in new exhibition on destruction

A rare surviving fragment of a ceiling fresco by Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela, long thought lost to a devastating fire, is now on display at the Pori Art Museum as part of an exhibition exploring themes of destruction and renewal, Yle reports.

The fresco, originally painted for the Juselius Mausoleum in Pori, endured severe moisture damage and a 1931 blaze that destroyed most of the building’s artworks. The surviving pieces, depicting Finnish tree species, were carefully preserved and have now been reassembled for the museum’s Contra Conversio group exhibition, which examines destruction, recovery, and the act of preservation.

The fresco was commissioned by businessman F. A. Juselius as part of a grand mausoleum built in memory of his 11-year-old daughter, Sigrid, who died in 1902 from complications of measles. Gallen-Kallela, along with other prominent artists of the era, contributed works to the project. However, the frescos began deteriorating almost immediately due to moisture seeping from the stone materials, sparking disputes between Juselius and the artist.

The situation worsened in autumn 1931 when drying equipment ignited scaffolding during restoration attempts, leading to a fire that completed the destruction of most artworks. Rumors later circulated in Pori that the blaze was the work of Freemasons—allegedly protecting esoteric secrets—though historian Samu Nyström notes no evidence supports this claim. “Finland had no active Freemason lodges at the time, but the 1930s saw widespread anti-Masonic sentiment, fueling all kinds of legends,” he said.

The fresco’s survival was near-miraculous. After the fire, fragments were stored in plywood boxes at the Satakunta Museum, where they remained until curator Arttu Merimaa rediscovered them. “It’s hard to comprehend how it endured,” Merimaa said. The original was later recreated using sketches, but the surviving pieces offer a direct link to Gallen-Kallela’s work.

The Contra Conversio exhibition, running until late August, features four contemporary artists alongside the historical fresco. Cyprien Gaillard explores urban decay through damaged Artek chairs, while Markus Luiron’s charcoal drawings depict liminal spaces. Iida Nikitinin’s abstract paintings and Veronica Ryan’s sculptural works—incorporating seeds, shells, and motifs of repair—further examine transformation and resilience.