THE EMIL CEDERCREUTZ MUSEUM

A captivating tourist attraction and centre of culture in the Satakunta region - a meeting place for the past, the present and the future.

The museum is based on the life-work of Baron Emil Cedercreutz: the art museum collection, the Harjula Artist`s home and the Temple of the Rural Spirit.

The museum is owned by the Emil Cedercreutz Foundation and maintained by the town of Harjavalta. It is further supported by Harjulan Kilta ry (Harjula folklore society). Co-operation partners are Satakunnan Historiallinen Seura ry (Satakunta history society) and Suomen Siluettitaiteilijat ry (Finnish silhouette artists`association), who have made their home at the Emil Cedercreutz Museum.

Baron Emil Herman Robert Cedercreutz (1879-1949)

A Sculptor And an Artist

Emil Cedercreutz was a versitale artist: a sculptor, a silhouette artist, a collector of folkolore and fine arts, an author, and an active member of society in the Satakunta region.

Emil Cedercreutz was brought up and educated at his childhood Manor home in Köyliö. At the request of his family he initially studied law, but on the recommendation of the renowned Finnish painter Alber Edelfelt, was soon able to begin study art in the newly established sculpting studies line of the Finnish Academy of Art, where he was taught by Victor Malmberg. Cedercreutz was the first officially trained sculptor in Finland, and continued his studies in the artistic centres of Europe, in Brussels, Rome and Paris.

Cedercreutz reformed Finnish sculpting. He introduced the themes of work and everyday life, and, as a fresh approach, left his sculptures momentary and naturalistic. Cedercreutz was one of the first representatives of the impressionistic and realistic sculpting style in Finland.

The sculptures of Emil Cedercreutz often featured everyday farming work. Horses were his most cherished theme.

The museum`s collection includes more than 600 sculptures and reliefs by Emil Cedercreutz. His monuments and reliefs can be found in several locations in Finland. Some of the larger ones have been erected as public monuments.

The original Temple of the Rural Spirit

Cedercreutz first had the idea of setting up a museum to increase the appreciation of farmer`s work in 1904, but did not implement it until 1916. The museum was intended as "an overture to the hymn of farming, a song of praise for the unity between Earth, the Sun an Man". Cedercreutz collected objects illustrating life in the rural areas of the Satakunta region for the museum. Slowly, in six phases throughout the years 1916-1941, the museum expanded to cover local culture as well. The aim was to present visitors with the life and the work of their ancestors.

The Temple of the Rural Spirit

An idea to replace The Temple of the Rural Spirit with a new museum building to ensure the preservation of the collections emerged in 1949. Architect Jonas Cedercreutz drew the plans, which were completed in 1963. The building was constructed in three stages in 1971, 1977 and 1996. Architect Mariana Cedercreutz drew the plans for the last section, which was the first museum in Finland to receive cofinancing from the European Union.

The Harjula Artist`s Home

Cedercreutz designed Harjula and had it built on the bank of the Kokemäenjoki River using traditional building materials from demolished farmhouse. The original and homely Harjula was completed in 1914. The artist crystallised his philosophy of life in the words on the front door: Memento vivere - remember that you have to live.