Ville Vallgren was a Finnish sculptor born in 1855 in the city of Porvoo, the son of the city doctor Georg Wallgren. He studied architecture at the Helsinki Polytechnic and in 1878 traveled to Paris where he enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts and studied under the French sculptor Pierre-Jules Cavelier.
    Vallgren made his debut in Paris in the spring salon in 1879. The sculpture "Eko" received an honorary mention at the salon in 1886. The artist was originally part of the realist generation of the 1880s, but at the end of the decade he turned to symbolism.
    Vallgren found his own expression in the 1880s when he became acquainted with Auguste Rodin's art. He switched to a smaller format, which enabled a larger production, material experiment and an extension of production to modern art. Vallgren's object production includes mirrors, table essays and open fireplaces. He was one of the pioneers of electricity art, and produced lavish table, ceiling and wall fixtures.
    Vallgren's breakthrough, the Christ relief, "The Crucified Christ", was awarded a gold medal at the World Expo in Paris in 1889. The following year, the 34-year-old artist had a large solo exhibition at the Ateneum, where he exhibited his entire production. At the same time, he was "discovered" in Paris, and the French state bought some of his works.

     In the 1890s Vallgren established himself as a master of the Art Nouveau style. He made expressive sculptures of female figures, urns, door flaps and luminaires. He participated in several international exhibitions in Europe, and his works were purchased for numerous museums and private collections.

    Vallgren participated several times in the symbolic Salons de la Rose-Croix. At the Finnish Pavilion at the World Expo in Paris in 1900, he presented a large sculpture group, which was awarded the Grand Prix. The artist also made works to be sold back in Finland, and he received support through several travel grants. He and his wife Antoinette belonged to the young Nordic artist colony in Paris, and they are often mentioned in contemporary memoirs and research literature.
    In the early 1900s Vallgren became again interested in monumental art. The sea nymph, soon known as Havis Amanda, commissioned by the City of Helsinki, was unveiled in 1908 and the fountain sculpture caused a violent moral debate over its depiction of female nudity. Since then, it has become a symbol of Helsinki and the subject of celebrations in festive contexts.
    Vallgren moved back to Finland in 1913 and settled in Alberga with his third wife, Viivi Vallgren. In 1925 Ville Vallgren had a museum in Porvoo named after the artist. He donated hundreds of his sculptures. He was a prominent figure in Finnish art life and worked for the cause of the sculpture, among other things, by founding the company "Terracotta". The sociable Vallgren was also named Grandmaster of Jesus' Order of Syria, a social club for Nordic artists who worked in Paris, a commitment that lasted from 1892 to 1940.

     Ville Vallgren is considered Finland's most successful international sculptor. His mirrors, figurines, lamp stands, urns, and candelabra established his reputation as a decorative artist. Of his statues and portraits, several are in New York City in the Vanderbilt collection, notably "Death and Resurrection" and "A Breton Girl". His works in Finland include "a Mariatta", in the Imperial Castle, and a "Christ" in the National Museum at Helsinki. The marble group "Maternity" is in the Museum of Arras, and a bronze statuette, "Youth", in the Berlin National Gallery.

     The artist is represented in these public institutions:

• The National Gallery in Helsinki

• Musée d'Orsay

• Orimattila Art Museum

• Saarijärvi Museum

• The Old Town Hall, Porvoo Museum

• The Helsinki City Art Museum

• Gothenburg Art Museum

• National Museum in Stockholm

• Borgå Museums

• Edelfelt-Vallgren Museum