Georg August Wallin was a Finnish explorer, Arabist, and professor of Oriental literature at the Imperial Alexander University, now known as the University of Helsinki. Wallin undertook three long research expeditions to the Arabian Peninsula in the 1840s and 1850s. Wallin prepared for his journeys meticulously by studying Arabic and basic medical skills, as well as familiarizing himself with the customs of the people and Islam in Cairo. During his travels in places such as Syria and Mesopotamia, he disguised himself as a Bedouin and pilgrim, which allowed him to gain access to the lives of those he was studying. His travel accounts were published in the journal of the Royal Geographical Society of England, and he was regarded as a significant researcher in his field. The posthumous portrait of Wallin was prominently displayed in the representative spaces of the University of Helsinki for a long time. Following the building's renovation in 2021, it was decided to leave the artwork in the museum's collection spaces due to feedback received by the university. In the portrait, Wallin is depicted wearing traditional Arabic attire, which can be seen as cultural appropriation. The Office of the Ombudsman for Equality in Finland suggested transferring the artwork from the representative space to a more museum-like setting, where it would be easier to present the background information of the piece. So far, the Helsinki University Museum Flame has not had the opportunity to do so.
