Albert Edelfelt was a Finnish painter noted for his naturalistic style and Realist approach to art. He lived in the Grand Duchy of Finland and made Finnish culture visible abroad, before Finland gained full independence.
Edelfelt was one of the first Finnish artists to achieve international fame. He enjoyed considerable success in Paris, including a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889. His painted portraits of many famous people, including Louis Pasteur, Aino Ackte and the Russian imperial family.
He influenced several younger Finnish painters and helped fellow Finnish artists such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela, to make their breakthrough in Paris. The painting of Louis Pasteur won him the Legion of Honour in 1886 at the exhibition at the Paris Salon.
The portrait of Pasteur is the most reproduced image of the scientist himself. It is the most popular portrait because it is unlike the many other typical portraits of Pasteur; where he is sitting plainly. This specific portrait paints him engaging with his environment and using the modern-day tools of his time. Pasteur actively involved himself, working with Edelfelt, in the creation of this painting. This portrait painted by Edelfelt impacted Pasteur's career as it painted his reputation towards the public positively.
The most notable paintings of Edelfelt include e.g. Portrait of Louis Pasteur (1885), A Child's Funeral (1879), Under the Birches (1881) and Boys on the Shore (1884).