Valamon monastery exhibition features rare light-sensitive works by Rudolf Koivu requiring mid-show replacement

A new exhibition at Valamon monastery’s cultural centre showcases the works of Finnish illustrator Rudolf Koivu (1890–1946), including rarely seen early pieces so sensitive to light that some originals must be rotated halfway through the display, reports Yle.

The exhibition, opening March 29 in Heinävesi, aims to surpass the monastery’s 2023 art record of over 18,000 visitors. Around 100 works spanning Koivu’s career are on view, from fairy-tale illustrations—including his complete Adalmiinan helmi series—to collaborations with author Raul Roine and educational materials.

A highlight is a private-collection loan of Koivu’s art nouveau-style (also called jugend) drawings for Larin Kyösti’s play Taikapeili, revealing a bolder, avant-garde side influenced by his wartime exile in London. “These are daring, almost decadent works,” notes exhibition assistant Päivi Ahdeoja-Määttä.

Due to light sensitivity, original gouaches will be swapped out after six months to prevent fading. Curator Liisa Heikkilä-Palo emphasises Koivu’s enduring legacy: “His archives are so pristine we can trace his rapid development—short life, vast output.” Koivu, who died at 56, elevated Finnish illustration to international acclaim.

Enlarged reproductions aim to preserve the original colours of works like his iconic Grimms’ Fairy Tales and One Thousand and One Nights illustrations. The family-friendly exhibition runs through autumn, with select pieces replaced in late summer.