Tapani Raittila - Fence

*Our favorite*

”Raittila’s serene landscape paintings invite you to pause and lose yourself in memories. Having grown up in a small, remote village, these landscapes remind me of hours spent playing outside with my siblings and of my solo adventures at the edge of the forest.”

-Tytti, Guide

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Tapani Raittila (b. 1921, Kannus, d. 2018, Helsinki) was one of the most important visual artists of post-war Finland. Raittila is particularly known for his portraits. He painted several portraits of notable figures of his time, such as President Urho Kekkonen and Mauno Koivisto, who was then the Governor of the Bank of Finland. 

In addition to portraits, Raittila also painted landscapes, which were often views from the window of his home in Katajanokka, Helsinki, or from his summer residence on Lake Saimaa. Raittila was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1966. 

Tapani Raittila served for a long time as an expert member of the art acquisition committee of the Wihuri Foundation, actively contributing to the development of what is now considered one of Finland’s most significant art collections.