Welcome to explore the impressive art collection of Martti Airio (1890–1973), which is on display at the Kuopio art museum’s The Colourist’s Visit exhibition from February 7 to April 27 2025. The exhibition showcases Airio’s carefully curated art collection, reflecting his deep love for art. The collection particularly highlights the artists of the Septem and November groups, whose works take you on a journey through the depths of landscapes and colors.
“Every collector, whatever their field, must have a common thread to follow. If they don’t have one, their collection will fall apart. This is the case with many collections, especially in the field of art.”
– From Martti Airio’s speech at the opening of his collection exhibition.
For Martti Airio art was a passion. He acquired works that pleased him and which he wanted to see on the walls of his home. With money saved from his teacher’s salary, he bought more than a hundred works of art, about half of which are on display at the exhibition. The exhibition offers an unique opportunity to witness these works loaned from the Mikkeli Art Museum together in Kuopio.
Childless, Martti Airio wanted his collection preserved for future generations. Airio also wanted to promote the establishment of Mikkeli Art Museum, so he left his collection to the city in his will. Mikkeli Art Museum opened its doors to the public with an exhibition showcasing Airio’s collection in 1976. Now you have the opportunity to step into this legacy and see how one man was able to change the art scene with his passion and vision.

The Septem Group
Founded in 1912, the Septem Group is known for its bright paintings that bathe in sunlight and glow with pure light colors. The group’s impressionistic style of painting arrived in Finland from France with the help of Magnus Enckell and Alfred William Finch. In addition to them, the first Septem Group exhibition also included Ellen Thesleff and Yrjö Ollila.
In the 1910s, the brightening of the color palette and the depiction of a comfortable life became more common among artists. In the 1930s, Martti Airio mainly acquired works from the Septem group. His collection includes about twenty works by artists who were members of the group. The exhibition features eight works from the Septem Group, offering a wonderful glimpse into the colorful world of the group.
The November Group
The November Group formed around Tyko Sallinen and got its name from its first exhibition, held in November 1917. November was a term used in art criticism to refer to the group’s serious and stark expression. The group’s artists are known for their works, where bright colors are replaced by darker and more earthy tones.
In the 1940s, Martti Airio focused on acquiring works from the November Group for his collection. In addition to Tyko Sallinen, Airio’s collection includes works by Ilmari Aalto, Alvar Cawén, Markus Collin, Anton Lindfors, and Jalmari Ruokokoski. The exhibition features 16 works that illustrate this shift from bright colors to muted tones.
