In The Outer Archipelago 1898

Albert Edelfelt made this oil painting, titled 'In The Outer Archipelago', using brushes and paint, traditional art materials. However, rather than depicting a historical scene or wealthy patron, Edelfelt shows us working-class folk. The rough texture of their clothing, and the worn surfaces of the wooden poles they carry, are carefully described using layers of paint, demonstrating the artist’s close observation and technical skill. The artist's focus seems to be less on the individuals themselves, and more on their labor as a fact of everyday life. The weight of the wood they carry seems palpable, and the scene speaks volumes about the realities of working-class life in the outer archipelago. In this way, Edelfelt elevates the lives of ordinary people, treating them with the same care and attention typically reserved for more traditionally ‘artistic’ subjects. This is one of the ways in which art expands to acknowledge all aspects of society, not just the privileged few.