Ateneum

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For similarly named entities, see Athenaeum

The Ateneum is one of the greatest museums in Finland. It is located in the centre of Helsinki at the Rautatientori square opposite Helsinki Central Railway Station. It has the biggest collections of classical art in Finland.

[edit] Architecture

The Ateneum building was designed by Theodor Höijer and it was completed in 1887.

The facade of Ateneum is decorated with statues and reliefs which contain a loot of symbolics. Above the main entrance, in the second floor, busts of three famous classical artists: architect Bramante, painter Rafael and sculpter Phidias. Above the busts, in the third floor, 4 caryatids supporting the pediment. These symbolize the 4 classical artforms: architecure, painting, sculpting, and music. The facade culminates in the pediments collage of sculptures in which the Goddess of Art is blessing the products of the different artforms. All the status have been made by Carl Sjöstrand. In between the second floor windows several reliefs representing Finnish and international artists, have been located. These have been made by Ville Vallgren.

Below the pediment's collage a phrase in Latin is written: Concordia res parvae crescunt, It is usually understood to refer to the long-lasting battle of the Finnish art circles in order to establish the museum.