Ville Vallgren created Havis Amanda, Helsinki’s mermaid, in Paris in 1906. She didn’t arrive in her home in Market Square beside the harbour until 1908. She is cast in bronze and stands on a bed of seaweed above a granite fountain with 4 spouting fish and 4 sea lions.
She was controversial when she first appeared because of the nudity and the possible inappropriate ideas about women some said she represented. She is now embraced by Helsinkians and her popular name is Manta. She is regularly voted the most beautiful Art Nouveau art work in Helsinki.
I think she is beautiful, even with her snow covering.
Here she is in summer.
So beautiful dear Debra… snow gives a wonderful image to her… Thank you, I would like to see during June too… With my love, nia
She does look beautiful and the snow just seems like nature’s way of providing a cover! There are so many statues where I live, but no way to know when they were made and how. How do you uncover such facts?
I google and look at other blogs and official sites. Sometimes it is difficult to find information, especially if things are very old.
She is beautiful, I like the way the snow tries to cover her girly bits. 🙂
And lovely girly bits they are.
Beautiful dear Debra… sorry but I made a re-visit because of this comment notification e-mails… I made second time unchecked… I hope it works… !!!!
You can come as often as you like Nia.
Interesting post, Debra! The magic of mermaids…
They are magical creatures, and this one is very pretty.
She looks positively blue with cold (although perfectly happy and relaxed about it!)
You would be blue too if you were standing naked in the snow.
Definitely blue, but unfortunately not so beautiful.
[…] think I prefer her unadorned. Click here to see more on Havis […]
[…] Havis Amanda is always there to greet me at the harbour. […]