Information

The collections of the Ostrobothnian Museum include a modest selection of Dutch and Flemish Art.  The paintings were donated by Dr. Karl Hedman and his wife Elin in 1931.  Karl Hedman (1864-1931) worked as a doctor in Vaasa and was an important promotor of the Ostrobothnian museum. In addition to collecting antiquities, silver, ceramics and art, he worked hard to get a new museum building in his hometown. The museum opened to the public in June 1930 with an floor dedicated to Hedman´s collection. Netherlandish art was displayed together with other objects to illustrate the most important phases of European culture.

Many of the Dutch  works were acquired by Hedman between 1914 and 1926. Among the highlights are portraits by Ludolph de Jongh and Dirk van Loonen. Other paintings such as Jacob Gillig´s Still Life with Fish (1684) and Palamedesz Palamedes’s the Eldery Cavarly Battle (1630) are part of the Paul Delaroff collection. The Dutch paintings were examined by Fred G. Meijer in 2005. Some paintings are copies made by schools or followers.  In addition to paintings, the collection also includes a Dutch Nautilus Cup (ca. 1650) that is decorated with an engraving after Rembrandt.

Dr. Auli Jämsänen, Chief of Collections (February 2024)

Collection catalogues

The Ostrobothnian Museum
Vaasa 2004