| Kullervo Sets Off for War | |
| Other Language 1: | Finnish |
| Other Title 1: | Kullervon sotaanlähtö |
| Artist: | Akseli Gallen-Kallela |
| Year: | 1901 |
| Medium: | Mural & Tempera |
| Dimensions: | 355 cm x 687 cm (mural) 89 cm x 128 cm (tempera) |
| City: | Helsinki |
| Museum: | Mural: Old Student House Tempera: Ateneum |
Kullervo Sets Off for War (fi|'''Kullervon sotaanlähtö''') is a painting by Akseli Gallen-Kallela from the year 1901. He painted the subject in tempera painting (89 × 128 cm)[1] and as a fresco (355 × 687 cm) which is located in the music hall of Old Student House of Helsinki University.[2]
The fresco was donated to the Students' union by Otto Donner.[3]
The theme for the painting is from the Kalevala, national epic of Finland. Kullervo sits on a white horse ready to ride to war, to take revenge on his uncle Untamo.[4] He is followed by a dog or a wolf.
Gallen-Kallela traveled to Siena, Italy, where he likely saw the frescoes by Simone Martini in the Palazzo Pubblico. Martini's Equestrian portrait probably gave Gallen-Kallela inspiration for the setting of Kullervo.[5]