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Mikael Lindfelt’s portrait unveiled: “the portraits remind us of the tradition we are part of”
In keeping with tradition, Åbo Akademi University has commissioned a portrait of Professor Mikael Lindfelt, who served as Rector of Åbo Akademi University from 2022 until April 2025.
The portrait, painted by Finnish visual artist Johanna Oras, was unveiled in the University’s Main Building on 5 October 2026, where it will take its permanent place alongside portraits of former rectors and chancellors of Åbo Akademi University.
“In my role as Rector, I put my heart and soul into doing my very best for Åbo Akademi University. It is an honour to join the long line of academic leaders who have led and shaped the University over the years,” says Lindfelt.
He emphasises that portraits of rectors are not simply about individuals, but also about the periods and contexts they represent.
“A rector becomes a symbol of a particular era in the history of a university. The portraits remind us of those who came before us and of the tradition we are part of. They also invite us to reflect on how we tell and preserve our history.”
A composition rooted in an academic setting
In the portrait, Lindfelt is depicted standing on the steps of the Main Building of Åbo Akademi University, with the Old Academy Building and Turku Cathedral in the background.
“The composition brings together the classical university environment and symbols of my academic home. The cathedral represents theology, while the focus remains on the University,” says Lindfelt.
Artist Johanna Oras describes the finished work as highly symbolic, bright and hopeful, as well as a strong likeness of Lindfelt.
“We had met a few times before, but painting the portrait gave me an opportunity to get to know Mikael better. We had many conversations, and he shared his life story with me. That makes the process easier, as portraiture is always very personal”, says Oras.
The process began with several sketches before the final composition took shape.
“I made three sketches, one of which clearly emerged as the one we wanted to develop further. I also added a small boy playing football in the park, as a reminder of the child within us all,” Oras says.
About the artist
Johanna Oras is a Finnish visual artist with a long international career. She has studied at art academies in St Petersburg and Florence and is particularly known for her colourful paintings, portraits and nature-inspired works.
Her work has been exhibited in Finland and internationally and is represented in both private and public collections. Her artistic practice also includes a number of notable commissioned portraits.
