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Student Artwork Guide

The Little Boat

Albert Edelfelt

Name Class Date
Albert Edelfelt, The Little Boat. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Albert Edelfelt originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/albert-edelfelt/
Artist’s dates
1854 – 1905
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Movement
Realism Painting ordinary people and ordinary work exactly as they are, without making them prettier or grander.
Period
19th Century
Artistic style
Detailed, Authentic
Influences
Realism, Impressionism
Notable elements
Children, boat, log
Subject or theme
Innocence, Joy, Water

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Albert Edelfelt died in 1905; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1975.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 7, 2026

The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt Part 1 · The artwork

In context

The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1850
  2. 1860
  3. 1870
  4. 1880
  5. 1890
  6. 1900

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 51 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Albert Edelfelt (1854–1905) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1884 Main working years: 1884–1888 Late works: from 1888

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/albert-edelfelt-the-little-boat-8BWMHS-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #f0e7dc

    Catalogued palette

    • #F0E7DC
    • #2D2422
    • #826955
    • #C2B5AB

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Albert Edelfelt over the last twelve months — 17 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 57.7%5,600 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 8.2%800 visits
    3. 3 Finland 7.2%700 visits
    4. 4 Netherlands 6.2%600 visits
    5. 5 Spain 3.1%300 visits
    6. 6 United Kingdom 2.1%200 visits
    7. 7 India 2.1%200 visits
    8. 8 Sweden 2.1%200 visits
    9. 9 Singapore 2.1%200 visits
    10. 10 Ukraine 2.1%200 visits
    11. · 7 other countries 7.1%700 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Albert Edelfelt

    1. 1 Boys Playing on the Shore, 1884 11.8%1,600 visits
    2. 2 At Sea 6.6%900 visits
    3. 3 Women outside the Church at Ruokolahti, 1887 3.7%500 visits
    4. 4 The Artist's Son Erik in his Pram 2.9%400 visits
    5. 5 Jean-Baptiste Pasteur, 1881 2.9%400 visits
    6. 6 The Heart of the Forest 2.9%400 visits
    7. 7 The Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, 1887 2.2%300 visits
    8. 8 Kaukola Ridge at Sunset, 1890 2.2%300 visits
    9. 9 Portrait of Maria Hagelstam 2.2%300 visits
    10. 10 Summer Evening, Haiko Bight outside Porvoo, 1889 2.2%300 visits
    11. 11 Portrait of Madame Vallery-Radot, 1888 2.2%300 visits
    12. 12 Horace and Lydia (study), 1886 2.2%300 visits
    13. 13 Smultron 2.2%300 visits
    14. 14 Burnt Village 2.2%300 visits
    15. 15 Divine Service in the Uusimaa Archipelago 2.2%300 visits
    16. 16 Conveying a Child, 1879 1.5%200 visits
    17. 17 Christ and Mary Magdalene, a Finnish Legend, 1890 1.5%200 visits
    18. 18 Queen Bianca, 1877 1.5%200 visits
    19. 19 From the Park of Luxembourgh in Paris 1.5%200 visits
    20. 38 The Little Boat this painting 0.7%100 visits

    Together these works take 57.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 155 works by this artist, of which 63 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 38 of them, with 0.7% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 7, 2026

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt

    A Glimpse into Realism

    Albert Edelfelt, a renowned Finnish painter, is celebrated for his captivating works that often blend elements of realism and impressionism. One such masterpiece is The Little Boat, an oil painting that exudes serenity and tranquility.

    Composition and Elements

    The painting depicts two children sitting on a large log near the water's edge, with one child closer to the left side and the other towards the right. The presence of a boat in the background adds depth to the scene, suggesting that this idyllic setting is located near a harbor or marina. The composition is balanced, with the children and the log forming the central focus, while the boat subtly enhances the overall atmosphere.

    Artistic Style

    Edelfelt's use of realism in The Little Boat is evident through the detailed depiction of the children and their surroundings. The artist's attention to detail creates a sense of authenticity, drawing the viewer into the peaceful world he has created. This style aligns with the broader movement of realism, which emphasizes accurate representations of everyday life.

    Cultural Significance

    The Little Boat is not only a beautiful piece of art but also a reflection of the cultural and social context in which it was painted. It captures a moment of innocence and joy, highlighting the importance of childhood experiences. The painting's serene atmosphere resonates with viewers, inviting them to reflect on their own memories of carefree moments by the water.

    Preservation and Exhibition

    Works like The Little Boat are preserved and showcased in esteemed institutions such as the Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale, California. This museum is dedicated to preserving art and promoting cultural awareness, making it an ideal place for Edelfelt's masterpiece.

    Reproductions and Appreciation

    For those who wish to bring a piece of this serenity into their own homes, AllPaintingsStore.com offers high-quality, handmade oil painting reproductions. These reproductions allow art lovers to appreciate the beauty of The Little Boat in their personal spaces.

    Conclusion

    The Little Boat by Albert Edelfelt is a testament to the power of realism in capturing life's simple yet profound moments. Through its serene and detailed depiction, this painting continues to captivate audiences, reminding us of the beauty found in everyday scenes.

    Artist: Jin Shangyi

    Museum: The Museum Forest Lawn Museum (Glendale, United States)

    This article provides a comprehensive look at The Little Boat, highlighting its artistic significance and the cultural context in which it was created.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 7, 2026

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Albert Edelfelt

    Born in Porvoo, Finland

    early life and education

    albert gustaf aristides edelfelt, a renowned finnish painter, was born on july 21, 1854, in porvoo, finland. his parents, carl albert edelfelt and alexandra edelfelt (née brandt), were swedish-speaking finns. edelfelt's early life was marked by an innate passion for art, which led him to pursue formal studies at the drawing school of the finnish art society in 1869.

    artistic journey

    edelfelt's artistic journey took him to various esteemed institutions, including:

    antwerp academy of art (1873-74), where he honed his skills in history painting.

    école nationale des beaux-arts in paris (1874-78), under the tutelage of jean-léon gérôme, further refining his craft.

    a brief stint at saint petersburg (1881-82) exposed him to diverse artistic influences.

    rise to prominence and notable works

    edelfelt's breakthrough came with a gold medal at the paris universal exposition of 1889. his notable works include:

    portrait of louis pasteur, which earned him the legion of honour in 1886.

    young woman in her boudoir, showcasing his mastery of capturing the essence of femininity.

    under the birches, a poignant representation of finnish landscapes.

    legacy and impact

    as one of the first finnish artists to achieve international fame, edelfelt significantly contributed to the realist art movement in finland. his influence extended to younger finnish painters, such as akseli gallen-kallela and gunnar berndtson, whom he assisted in their breakthroughs in paris.

    museum collections and commemoration

    edelfelt's works are featured in various museums, including the ateneumin taidemuseo in helsinki. his legacy was commemorated with a €100 albert edelfelt commemorative coin in 2004, celebrating his 150th birth anniversary. key artworks and museum collections:

    view albert edelfelt's artworks on AllPaintingsStore

    explore ateneumin taidemuseo's collection on AllPaintingsStore

    discover more:

    atheneumin taidemuseo helsinki, finland on AllPaintingsStore

    albert edelfelt's wikipedia page

    Where to read more

    • The artist Albert Edelfelt originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/albert-edelfelt/
    • Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/albert-edelfelt-the-little-boat-8BWMHS-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for The Little Boat

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/albert-edelfelt-the-little-boat-8BWMHS-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Edelfelt, Albert. The Little Boat. n.d., https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albert-edelfelt-the-little-boat-8BWMHS-en/
    APA
    Edelfelt, Albert (n.d.). The Little Boat [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albert-edelfelt-the-little-boat-8BWMHS-en/
    Chicago
    Albert Edelfelt. The Little Boat. n.d. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albert-edelfelt-the-little-boat-8BWMHS-en/
    Harvard
    Edelfelt, Albert (n.d.) The Little Boat. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albert-edelfelt-the-little-boat-8BWMHS-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 7, 2026

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: finnish painting, children at play, waterfront scene. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Artist's Son Erik in his Pram, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Realism: Painting ordinary people and ordinary work exactly as they are, without making them prettier or grander. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 7, 2026

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What artistic movement is most closely associated with Albert Edelfelt’s style as depicted in ‘The Little Boat’?

      • A Cubism
      • B Realism and Impressionism
      • C Surrealism

    2. 2. In ‘The Little Boat’, the presence of a boat in the background primarily serves to:

      • A Highlight the children's clothing
      • B Suggest the painting’s location near a harbor or marina
      • C Create a dramatic lighting effect

    3. 3. Albert Edelfelt is known for his detailed depictions of everyday life. What does this primarily reflect?

      • A A fascination with historical events
      • B An emphasis on abstract forms and colors
      • C A commitment to realism and capturing authentic scenes

    4. 4. According to the provided information, where is ‘The Little Boat’ currently exhibited?

      • A The Louvre Museum in Paris
      • B Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale, California
      • C The National Gallery in London

    5. 5. What is a key characteristic of Edelfelt's artistic style as demonstrated by ‘The Little Boat’?

      • A Use of bold, contrasting colors
      • B Detailed depiction of figures and surroundings to create a sense of authenticity
      • C Emphasis on geometric shapes and patterns

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1A · 2A · 3C · 4A · 5A

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 7, 2026

    The Little Boat — Albert Edelfelt Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    What is "The Little Boat" made with, and in which style?

    "The Little Boat" by Albert Edelfelt combines the oil on canvas technique with the Realism style. Technique and movement describe the making and the style of the work.

    What is the recommended use of a print of "The Little Boat"?

    The recommended use of a print of "The Little Boat" is statement.

    What feeling is "The Little Boat" associated with?

    "The Little Boat" by Albert Edelfelt conveys a calm emotional tone.