Beda Stjernschantz

The family was not particularly wealthy, however, which meant that Beda Stjernschantz had to largely support herself financially, including paying for her art studies. Stjernschantz studied first at the Drawing School of the Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki, from 1885 to 1889, and later privately under Gunnar Berndtson, from 1889 to 1891. She started out as a realist, but soon after her debut exhibition in 1891, and her subsequent visit to Paris the following year, began shifting increasingly towards symbolism. After selling her paintings at an auction, Stjernschantz traveled to New York, U.S, where she lived from 1903 to 1905, working as a private tutor and nanny. In her time, Stjernschantz was not very highly regarded and, despite her relatively privileged background, struggled throughout her career with financial problems and various external pressures, isolation, as well as artistic belittling; the resulting persistent 'melancholy' eventually lead her to take her own life in 1910, at the age of 42. Due to her early death, her artistic output remains relatively small. Stjernschantz's only known international exhibition took place in Paris, in 1900. Several of her works are now in the permanent collection of the Finnish National Gallery. Stjernschantz is today regarded as a pioneer of the symbolism movement in Finland, and one of the leading artists of her time.

Training under Gunnar Berndtson is recorded. The recorded working language is Finnish, Swedish and English. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are Symbolism and portrait. Places of work recorded in the authority are Helsinki and Paris. Work by Beda Stjernschantz is recorded in the collections of Finnish National Gallery, Ateneum and K.

• Born — 10 December 1867 • Birthplace — Porvoo, Grand Duchy of Finland • Died — 28 May 1910 • Place of death — Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland • Movement — Symbolism