Ruhnu man

Elsa af Kullberg (really Elsa Sofia Charlotta af Kullber, known as Kullbergana on Ruhnu; 1 February 1875 Stockholm – 27 June 1956 Stockholm), Swedish artist, best-known as a portrait artist, practiced oil and gouache painting, also did pastel, pencil and chalk drawings.

Studied at the Stockholm Academy of Arts and at the School of Graphics, underwent additional training in Rome, Paris and Munich. Visited Ruhnu for the first time in 1925, went back for summer holidays many times in the following years. Lived in a house built by Hans Steffens on her expense when she was on Ruhnu, the house had a studio. Swedish nurse Jenny Larsson who worked on Ruhnu after 1933 also lived in the same house. In 1935, Prince Bertil stayed there with his entourage during his visit to Ruhnu. Kullberg painted scenery and numerous portraits of locals, and organized exhibitions of her own works on the island. Was also active as a nurse on Ruhnu, helping mostly sick children and earning the nickname of the Angel of Ruhnu.

Was from a Swedish noble family. Her grandfather Johan August af Kallberg (1817–81) was also an artist, mostly known as a caricaturist and a lithographer.

Created in 2013