Sculpture by Sigrid af Forselles added to Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation’s art collection

Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, that owns Villa Gyllenberg art museum, has acquired a new sculpture to its art collection in December 2024 via an auction by Stockholms Auktionsverk. The piece in question is a bronzed terracotta sculpture depicting a kneeling man. The sculpture was made in 1896 by Finnish sculptor Sigrid af Forselles (1860–1935).

“Works by af Forselles are sold quite seldom, and we are very happy to have succeed in buying this wonderful sculpture to our collection”, says Lotta Nylund, Chief Curator of Villa Gyllenberg. Ane Gyllenberg (1891–1977) was very interested in spirituality and especially anthroposophy. af Forselles had also an interest in spirituality, but in theosophy, that was very fashionable at the time. “The kneeling man is an excellent example of af Forselles more spiritual production and it has a delicate feeling to it. It looks like he is gazing into another dimension or reality, and we have similar themes in works bought by Ane Gyllenberg”, says Nylund.

With this new acquisition the Gyllenberg art collection now has 418 works. The sculpture will be put on display in autumn 2025 in the exhibition Spirit of the Times. Collection Ane Gyllenberg.