By trade Sallinen was a tailor like his father. From a young age that was how he earned his living, even after embarking on a career as an artist. Sallinen’s technical skill as an artist can already be seen in his early paintings. Unfortunately a large part of his early output was destroyed in an attic fire.
Illustration: Tyko Sallinen: Ironing Tailor´s Apprentice, 1905 © HAM / Photo: Hanna Kukorelli