Ferdinand von Wright: One of Finland’s Most Prominent Nature Artists During the 19th Century

Ferdinand von Wright (1822–1906) was a Finnish artist known for his exceptional skill in painting wildlife and landscapes. He’s often regarded as one of Finland’s most prominent nature artists, and his work helped bring Finnish nature and wildlife into the spotlight during the 19th century.

Ferdinand was born in the Swedish-speaking region of Finland and was part of the Wright family of artists, many of whom were also painters. He specialized in realistic portrayals of birds, animals, and scenes from nature. His detailed, lifelike depictions of animals in their natural habitats were groundbreaking for the time, especially in the context of Finnish art, which had been more focused on historical and portrait painting.

Some of his most well-known works include “The Swan of Finland” and various paintings of forest animals and birds. His love for nature and his background as a farmer likely contributed to the authenticity and precision of his artwork. Here below is a collection of beautiful paintings by Ferdinand von Wright in the 19th century.

Flowers and Birds, 1853-54

An Eagle-Owl Seizes a Hare, 1860

Black Grouses, 1862

Capercaillies Courting, 1862

Great Tits, 1867

Magpies Round a Dead Woodgrouse, 1867

Bathing Pigeons, 1868

Finches and Redpolls, 1868

Two Swans in a Mountain Lake, 1868

Black Grouses, 1870

Wood Grouse Couple, 1870

Black Grouses, 1872

Ducks, 1873

Mallards, 1874

Pigs and Magpies, 1875

Waxwings, 1876

Jays, 1877

Stick to the Crease, 1877

The Surprise, 1880

Eagle, 1884

The Fighting Capercaillies, 1886

Waxwings, 1888

Bullfinches, 1890

Small Birds on the Roof, 1890

Landscape and Chaffinches, 1891

Bullfinches, 1893

Ptarmigans, 1893

A Pair of Whooper Swans on the Pond, 1894

Partridges in Snow, 1895

Two Buzzards, 1895

White Wagtails, 1895

Willow Warbler, 1895

A Bevy of Ptarmigans by the River, 1897

Golden Eagle by a Lake, 1897

Ptarmigans, 1897