Ahola

– The home where the story of the Tuusula Lake artist community began

In 1897, author Juhani Aho and artist Venny Soldan-Brofeldt moved to a villa, Ahola by Lake Tuusula. Because of their bohemian lifestyle, they wanted to live in a rented home instead of owning a house. Together with their two children, Heikki and Antti, they lived there for 14 years.

Their arrival at Ahola marked the beginning of the Tuusula Lake artist community. The villa became the first artist home in this important cultural area, where many Finnish artists later lived and worked.

Today, Ahola is a museum that tells the story of Juhani Aho and Venny Soldan-Brofeldt. Visitors can learn about their lives, their work, and their important contributions to Finnish literature and visual arts.

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Juhani Aho

Juhani Aho (1861–1921), originally Johannes Brofeldt, was one of Finland’s most important writers and is known as a national author. He wrote especially novels and short writings, “splinters.” His writings about Finnish people and nature helped shape Finnish identity when Finland was still an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire.

Aho also worked as a journalist. He wrote for newspapers, edited newspapers and was one of the founders of Päivälehti, which later became Helsingin Sanomat. He was the first professional Finnish-language writer who earned his living by writing and was the most translated Finnish author of his time. He also translated literature into Finnish.

In his free time, Aho enjoyed nature, especially fishing, hiking, and skiing. He was also active in Finnish theatre.

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Venny Soldan-Brofeldt

Venny Soldan-Brofeldt (1863–1945) was a versatile Finnish artist who worked as a painter, sketch artist, and illustrator. She was especially known for her paintings of Finnish rural life, children, and the sea. She also created small sculptures, cameo jewelry, textiles, and furniture. For Ahola, she designed the interiors and made some of the furniture herself.

At a time when it was uncommon for women, Soldan-Brofeldt successfully combined an artistic career with family life. She was a pioneer in children’s art education in Finland, a founding member of the Art to Schools Association, and active in the women’s rights movement.