Poetic reality – 1920–40s art, design, fashion and gardens
Villa Gyllenberg, Helsinki
- 22.4.2026–13.9.2026
An exhibition on the romantic and cheerful art, fashion, design and gardens of the 1920–1940s.
Many artists and designers longed for beauty, ornaments and vibrant colours during the interwar period. Flowers, gardens and paradise were common motifs.
One of the exhibition’s main themes is French post-impressionism from the 1920–1940s, the so called “painters of the poetic reality” (Les peintres de la réalité poétique). These painters would paint art in a poetic and cheerful style, taking impressions from Henri Matisse and Pierre Bonnard. Many Finnish artists who spent time in Paris, such as Tove Jansson, Birger Carlstedt and Yngve Bäck, were influenced by this art.
The exhibition will consist of Finnish and French art, dresses, furniture and gardens.
The exhibition is based on a research project on new perspectives on the 1920–1940s art, fashion, design and gardens, as well as the history of modern art and design. Experts working on the exhibition research project and publication are Professor Ville Lukkarinen, docent Maija Mäkikalli, Ph.D. Julia Donner, MA Janne Arnesen. The exhibition is curated by Villa Gyllenberg’s Chief Curator Lotta Nylund.
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Museum contact details
Villa Gyllenberg
Kuusisaarenpolku 11, 00340 Helsinki
09 481 333
Yhteydet julkisilla
Näytä reitti museolle Matkahuollon reittioppaassa
Katso reitti Matkahuollon reittioppaassa
Päämäärä:
Villa Gyllenberg, Kuusisaarenpolku 11, 00340 Helsinki
Lähtöpiste:
Admission fees
12/10/0 €
Payment methods
käteinen, yleisimmät pankki- ja luottorkortit, Smartum, Edenred ja Epassi -kulttuurisetelit / kontanter, de allmännaste bank- och creditkorten, Smartum, Edenred och Epassi-kultursedlar / cash, the most common bank and credit cards, Smartum, Edenred and Epassi culture vouchers
Opening hours
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 12:00-17:00 |
| Thu | Closed |
| Fri | Closed |
| Sat | 12:00-17:00 |
| Sun | 12:00-17:00 |
Museum closed: 6.12.2025 (Independence Day), 24.12.2025 (Christmas Eve),16.3-21.4.2026 (change of exhibition), 19-21.6.2026 (Midsummer), 14.9-6.10.2026 (change of exhibition), 24.12.2026 (Christmas Eve)
Accessibility [the criteria]
- Accessible toilet
- Induction loop
- Restricted accessibility: Aula, galleria sekä kahvio ovat esteettömiä. Kotimuseo ei ole esteetön. / Aulan, galleriet och caféet är hinderfria. Hemmuseet är inte hinderfritt. / The entrance hall, the gallery and the café are easily accessible. The home museum is not accessible.
- Seating inside the exhibition
- Wheelchair on loan