Last updated: 27 October 2026
Yrjö Edelmann (1941 to 2016) painted wrapped parcels so precisely that they look real. Here you will find our take on his trompe l’oeil paintings and prints, the museums that hold them, and where to buy one.
Our take on Yrjö Edelmann
Edelmann’s subject was the wrapped package: brown paper, string and creased surfaces, painted with trompe l’oeil precision so that a canvas looks like it is waiting to be posted. Titles such as Wrapped Paintbrush in Pink say exactly what you see.
Many of the parcels resemble stretched canvases ready for shipping, which makes the joke about painting itself. Artsy credits a 1993 Absolut Vodka advertisement, a painting of a wrapped bottle, with bringing him wider fame.
His prints and paintings now sell through dealers and Scandinavian auction houses.
Yrjö Edelmann: the essentials
- Born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1941; died in 2016, according to RoGallery.
- Trained at Konstfack, the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, and worked in Sweden.
- Painted wrapped packages and parcels in a trompe l’oeil, hyperrealist style.
- His work is held by the Brooklyn Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Milwaukee Art Museum, among others.
- Solo show Wrapping Up the Force of Perspective at MAD Museum of Art & Design, Singapore, in 2012.
Yrjö Edelmann exhibitions
- Wrapping Up the Force of Perspective, MAD Museum of Art & Design, Singapore, 2012.
- Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, 2013.
- No current exhibition has been announced.
Where to buy a Yrjö Edelmann print
We found no UK seller with his work in stock.
- Prints and paintings: RoGallery in New York lists works including Wrapped Paintbrush in Pink, with prices on request.
Yrjö Edelmann FAQs
What did Yrjö Edelmann paint?
Wrapped parcels and packages, painted so precisely that they look real.
Where was Yrjö Edelmann from?
He was born in Helsinki in 1941, trained at Konstfack in Stockholm and worked in Sweden. He died in 2016.
Which museums hold Yrjö Edelmann’s work?
The Brooklyn Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Milwaukee Art Museum, among others.
Can I buy a Yrjö Edelmann print in the UK?
We found no UK seller. RoGallery in New York lists his work, with prices on request.
More from CoolCuration
- Christo at Gagosian review: the other artist who made wrapping his subject.
- Great Art Explained: James Payne’s guide to how famous works were made.
- Best affordable art in the UK: where to start collecting prints.
- Gifts for artists: our edit of presents for people who make things.
Think we’re missing something, got something wrong, or want to be featured? Contact us.
Main image: Yrjö Edelmann, Packed Blue and Grey Ocean, 2002. Courtesy Scott Richards Contemporary Art. Framed by CoolCuration. Details last checked: 27 October 2026.
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