Sam Vanni

His parents were fur trader Aron Besprosvanni and Rakel Stoler. Besprosvanni was multi-lingual since his early childhood. The Besprosvanni family moved to Helsinki in 1921 and in 1927 Samuel started studies in the Academy of Fine Arts. Later he studied in the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence and was a private student of the sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen. In 1931 his works were displayed in an annual Finnish Art Society exhibition. From 1938 to 1939 Vanni lived in London and Paris, where he attended the Académie Julian and Académie de la Grande Chaumière. In the 1940s Vanni started to move towards more abstract art. He was especially influenced by French artists like Henri Matisse and Pierre Bonnard. An active painter until his death in 1992. He was awarded by the Pro Finlandia and invited in the Academy of Finland in 1964. In the 1930s he was married to Maya Vanni, who like Sam was a friend of the artist and author Tove Jansson; Sam was also one of Jansson's lovers in that period.

Sam Vanni studied at Académie Julian and Academy of Fine Arts of Helsinki. Training under Uuno Alanko, Per Laurén and Werner Åström is recorded. Pirkko Lantto, Rafael Wardi and Juhana Blomstedt are recorded as having studied under Sam Vanni. The recorded working language is Finnish. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are abstract, still life and concrete. Places of work recorded in the authority are Helsinki and Paris. Work by Sam Vanni is recorded in the collections of Finnish National Gallery and City of Pori art collection. Distinctions recorded are Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland, Ducat Prize, Knight First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland and Commander First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

• Name — Sam Vanni • Birth Name — Samuel Besprosvanni • Born — 6 July 1908 • Birthplace — Vyborg, Grand Duchy of Finland • Died — 20 October 1992 • Place of death — Helsinki, Finland • Field — Painting, Graphics, Sculpture • Awards — Pro Finlandia • Spouse — Maya London (1941–1958) Paula Saarenheimo (1960–)

The following is established of the heading itself.

On origins, the institutional record states the following. Vanni died in 1992 at Helsinki. It is also recorded that sam Vanni is recorded at birth as Samuel Besprosvanni. It is also recorded that sam Vanni was born in 1908 at Vyborg.