MWW Artwork of the Day (11/22/24) Edvard Isto (Finnish, 1865–1905) The Attack Hyökkäys Oil on canvas, 200 x 140 cm. Suomen kansallismuseo, Helsinki
Edvard Isto (or Eetu Isto) was a Finnish artist, best known for this patriotic painting "The Attack" which depicts the perceived Russification of Finland by the Russian Empire. While studying in Berlin, in response to the Russification of Finland, he painted "The Attack" (Hyökkäys) which shows the Russian eagle attacking the Finnish Maiden. He took it back to Helsinki and displayed it privately at a villa in Kaivopuisto. It may, in fact, have been completed there, as the Maiden resembles the wife of one of Isto's friends. It was reproduced and distributed by the thousands throughout Finland, Germany and Sweden, despite efforts to suppress it.
