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Find out moreTove hated school and didn't finish it
Jansson attended the largest school in Helsinki, but her memories of that time were far from positive. She claimed that "the best thing there can be is freedom" and associated school with prison. It is not surprising that in Moominvalley, the ideal world she created, there are no schools. In this space, all the characters live carefree and completely immersed in creativity.
Since childhood, Tove had an aversion to mathematics, which led to her exemption from this subject on the initiative of her mother. From an early age, Tove was fond of drawing, and it was obvious that she would continue the creative dynasty - her mother was a book illustrator, and her father was a sculptor. However, art lessons also brought her no joy. Tove was irritated by the requirement to accurately reproduce scenes in neat sketchbooks. Her frustration and creative energy found an outlet in sketches and caricatures, which she constantly drew, including depictions of her teachers. In this way, Tove expressed her talent and individuality, which later influenced her artistic style and career.
Tuula Karjalainen, the author of Tove Jansson's biography, noted that the writer herself considered school an unfavorable place and forgot most of her time there. She couldn't even remember what exactly caused her fear, and as an adult, she experienced nervousness during interviews. This was because the situation reminded her of a lesson in which she had to answer questions from a strict teacher.
Tove's drawings were very popular, and she even began publishing her own magazine, which she sold to her classmates. Her passion for storytelling manifested itself in the fact that she enjoyed telling stories and always received excellent grades for her essays. However, she did not enjoy school, and her family eventually accepted this.
At the age of fifteen, Tove happily left school to devote herself to art. This transition became a turning point in her life, renewing her interest in learning and creativity. She recalled how this decision opened new horizons and provided an opportunity to develop her artistic skills.
She considered her college years to be the best time of her life.
After graduating from high school in 1930, Tove entered the Stockholm College of Applied Arts for a three-year course in book illustration and advertising. Swedish was spoken in Tove's family, as her mother came from an ancient Swedish family and her father was Finnish. Therefore, choosing an art education in Stockholm was a logical step in her creative journey.
Tove repeatedly said that this was the best time for her. However, if you read her correspondence with her parents, it becomes clear that many difficulties also arose during those days. The Jansson family lived in difficult circumstances, and Tove was forced to move in with her uncle in Stockholm.
Tove's student life was marred not only by financial difficulties, but also by a strong longing for her family. In her letters home, she began with warm greetings like "beloved Mom and Dad" or "beloved everyone," detailing her life and daily routine. She shared impressions of her room, described the gifts she had prepared for her aunt and uncle for Christmas, and discussed the financial difficulties she was facing. Tove also dreamed of the time she and her parents would spend together when they reunited. However, college received little attention in her letters. She merely mentioned the heavy workload and the eventful nature of each day, describing her life as a constant "race." Jansson's biographers note that during this period, she was tormented by the conflict between her desire to study and the need to earn money to support her family.
In the spring of 1931, Tove Jansson did not face a choice between studying and working, as Boel Westin notes. However, the anxiety she expressed in her letters and diaries from that time belies the image of a carefree childhood and adolescence that Tove later described. "I must become an artist for my family," she wrote during her first year in Stockholm. This vow became fundamental to her life. The need to work and caring for her family shaped Tove Jansson's true energy—work and love became the priorities of her life. Tove always remained true to her convictions and aspirations, which ultimately determined her outstanding contribution to art and literature. Her years of study in Stockholm formed the foundation for Tove's entire creative career. These years likely seemed especially happy to her, as they were filled with a deep spiritual connection with her family and a search for the meaning of life. Stockholm became not only a place for her to gain knowledge, but also a source of inspiration, which had a significant influence on her future works.
She left art school in protest, but later returned
After completing her studies in Stockholm, Tove returned to her homeland, Finland, and in the same year, 1933, she entered a new art school. This school was part of the Finnish Society of Arts and was located in the country's main art museum, the Ateneum. This majestic classicist building houses an extensive collection of Finnish painting and sculpture. The director of the educational institution was the conservative artist Uuno Alanko, who showed no interest in modern artistic trends. Tove, known for her independent spirit, could not help but protest against such restrictions. She noted that Alanko constantly offered students scenes from the Kalevala, considering this epic poem an integral part of art education. In his opinion, this was enough to develop an artist.
In March 1934, Tove left school without even completing one academic year. At the end of September, she attempted to return to school, but left again after a year and three months—in December 1935. She was not the only one to leave school; at that time, several students also rebelled against the outdated educational system. Young Finnish artists of that period sought a revolution in painting, advocating for a broader understanding of art, internationalism, and freedom of expression. Their commitment to innovation and the desire to change artistic traditions became an important step in the development of Finnish art.
Tuva has always stood out for its drive for creativity and independence. As a young woman, she genuinely wanted to pursue art and be independent of the opinions of others. However, over time, Jansson began to view her rebelliousness with a degree of irony, recognizing how her views and priorities had changed. This path of self-expression became an important part of her life, shaping her unique style and approach to creativity.
Art colleges, regardless of their location, begin to seem the same over time. However, the students at these institutions behave completely differently. At first, they follow the instructions of their professors, regardless of whether the latter uses a brush or a palette knife. At some point, students begin to rebel against the system, leaving college mid-semester. They transform their rented apartments into creative studios, easily changing styles and partners, leaving behind their familiar lives. It was an era of freedom and self-expression, when every moment seemed filled with creative inspiration.
Tove's natural rebelliousness led her to leave educational institutions more than once, but this quality harmoniously combined with her sincere desire for knowledge. In particular, at the school at the Athenaeum, Tove finally decided to finish what she had started. In September 1936, she returned to her studies and successfully completed her education.
Dedicated a story to the day of graduation
On May 15, 1937, Tove wrote in her diary: "The Athenaeum is finished." This seemingly simple phrase actually reflects years of hard work and overcoming difficulties. Completing her studies at college was an important milestone in her life, and Tove dedicated a separate story to this day. In it, she describes artists celebrating their graduation, their youthful enthusiasm and big dreams. This moment symbolizes not only Tove's personal achievement, but also the desire of the younger generation for self-expression and creative exploration.
In May, on a clear, cold day, when clouds slowly moved across the sky, resembling large sails, a warm atmosphere reigned in the Athenaeum drawing classroom. Alanko stood before us, delivering his farewell speech. His words were slow, as if each needed time to clear the dust. We were all dressed up and, lost in thought, gazed into the distance, knowing this moment would remain etched in our memories.
In her work "Graduation Day from Art School," Tove Jansson touches on important themes related to the completion of an academic career and the search for one's own creative path. In the text, the author conveys the emotions of students experiencing joy and excitement on this significant day. Jansson describes in detail the celebratory atmosphere, as well as the inner experiences of the characters, who stand on the threshold of a new life. They grapple with questions about choosing their future direction and defining their place in the art world. Through the prism of the characters' personal stories, Jansson reveals the complex aspects of self-expression and the pursuit of self-improvement. Thus, "Graduation Day from Art School" becomes not only a reflection of student experiences but also a universal metaphor for growing up and finding one's creative path.
The story describes how the former students, having been released, quickly left the school, exclaiming with joy. They hurried to their favorite café, where they pushed tables together and began to celebrate. Their evening was filled with songs, chatting with models, joking with waitresses, and lively dancing. Later, the whole group took a boat to the island of Sveaborg, and upon their return, they continued their celebration. This was the beginning of a new, fulfilling life for the students: that same year, Tove Jansson joined the artists' guild and began actively exhibiting her work. However, her educational journey did not end there.
She studied in the same place as her parents (though not always)
Tove Jansson, a bright and energetic person, could not help but visit Paris—the art center of her time. In 1934, she first visited the city, where she visited the Louvre, sketched Montmartre, and discovered the world of the Impressionists. This experience became an important part of her creative path.
Tove Jansson's second trip to France in 1938 turned out to be significant in her life. By then, she had already established herself as a professional artist, earning a living through her art. Tove received a scholarship that allowed her to travel, and the royalties from her illustrations ensured her financial independence. This experience became an important stage in her career and contributed to the further development of her artistic style.
Tove attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, an educational institution where her parents, Signe Hammarsten and Viktor Jansson, had once studied. It was here that they met and fell in love, marking the beginning of their shared story. Renowned for its artistic traditions, the academy inspired Tove to further develop her creative abilities and deep understanding of art.
Tove's previous studies at Stockholm College also serve as her mother's alma mater, while Ateneum School in Helsinki is the institution her father graduated from.
The relationship within this family was unique. Tove's mother served as a virtual guide, offering recommendations for places to visit and maintaining contact through correspondence. Her father also came to Paris on an art grant, and their meeting became not only a family one but also a professional one as artists.
Boël Westin believes the trip was a key step for Tove in gaining emotional and creative independence from her family, to whom she was closely tied. The trip allowed Tove to relive important moments in her parents' lives and separate herself from their influence, freeing herself from the pressure of their success and authority. This may explain why Tove decided to leave the Académie des Grandes Chaumières, which she found too noisy and hectic. She informed her parents that she had found a more suitable studio with the Swiss artist Adrian Holly, which underscores her desire for independence and development.
Today, from 9:30 to 11:30, I painted for the first time in Holly's studio on rue Broca. I like that there are not so many beginners here who are overly focused on the model's pose and constantly argue over colored fabrics, mirrors, and lighting. The studio is located in a beautiful courtyard and is accessed by a steep blue spiral staircase. Here, I don't have to worry about someone taking my things, as often happened in the Grand Chaumière. This atmosphere is perfect for my artistic work.
Tove Jansson, a renowned Finnish writer and artist, shares unique reflections and personal stories in her "Letters to Tove." These letters reveal her creative path and outlook on life, and show how her experiences influenced the creation of famous characters such as the Moomins. Jansson describes her relationships with nature, art, and people, making her letters not only personal but also universal. Reading "Letters to Tove" allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of her time and understand how she found inspiration in everyday events. These letters represent a valuable legacy that continues to inspire readers worldwide.
Tove successfully passed the entrance exams to the École des Beaux-Arts on rue Bonaparte, one of France's most renowned art schools. Although her parents had no connection to the institution, many outstanding artists studied there, including her idol, Henri Matisse. However, Tove was unable to adapt to the conservative educational system and left the school after just a few weeks. Returning to the cozy studio of Hawley, she spent the end of winter and the entire spring in Paris. In June, the artist traveled to Brittany, where she traveled through the villages, actively painting and, according to her diary entries, experiencing great happiness. This article tells the story of how Tove created the inhabitants of her famous Moominvalley.
