Walter Runeberg

Walter Magnus Runeberg ( born December 29, 1838 in Porvoo, † December 23, 1920 in Helsinki) was a Finnish sculptor.

Runeberg was the son of the Finnish national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. After completing his schooling Runeberg began at the Art Academy in Helsinki art with a focus on sculpture study. Following this, he became the pupil of the sculptor Carl Eneas Sjöstrand. Funded by his teacher went Runeberg 1858 for three years after Copenhagen at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and was a student of Herman Wilhelm Bissen. His works from this period clearly show Runebergs model Bertel Thorvaldsen.

1861 undertook Runeberg a study trip to Rome, where he " ... learned of the ancient artists and was inspired by his contemporaries " in their own words. On the occasion of an exhibition in Rome made ​​a modeled from him Silen stir.

1864 Runeberg returned back to Finland and settled as a freelance artist. The most important work of this period is Ilmarinen forges the moon, on whose model he worked for almost three years. Before Runeberg created this work in marble, he traveled again to Rome in person to obtain the desired stone. In Rome Runeberg founded a workshop from which came several important works; Apollo and Marsyas, Cupid and Psyche, and other scenes from the myth of Psyche.

1877 Runeberg moved his workshop to Paris, where he lived and worked for many years. At the age of 82 years he died on 23 December 1920 in Helsinki.

Works (selection)

• Ilmarinen forges the moon
• Apollo and Marsyas
• The Sleeping Cupid and Psyche, supported by Zephyren
• Alexander II Monument (Helsinki)