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Järnpojke

Järnpojke, also known as the Iron Boy or the Boy Looking at the Moon, is a small monument in Stockholm’s Old Town, located in a courtyard by the Finnish Church. Created by sculptor Liss Eriksson and installed in 1967, it is considered Sweden’s smallest monument at about 15 cm tall. The figure shows a seated boy hugging his knees, made of sandstone and wrought iron, and placed on a bed atop a broad pedestal. Eriksson first created the work in 1954, drawing on childhood memories of sleepless nights spent watching the moon through his window. The sculpture is a popular tourist stop and is associated with luck, wishes, coins, sweets, and seasonal clothing.

Järnpojke, a small dark seated sculpture on a low bench beside a building wall with patches of snow and greenery.
Järnpojke shown in a close-up view beside a light yellow wall in winter conditions.
March 2006 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Järnpojke, a small dark metal seated figure hugging its knees, with coins scattered around the base.
Järnpojke sits with coins scattered around the base of the sculpture.
July 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Järnpojke sculpture with a shiny head, a small flower in its chest, and coins scattered in front
Järnpojke, Stockholm’s smallest sculpture, shown with coins placed on the surface in front of it.
June 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Järnpojke, a small dark sculpture of a boy wearing a light blue knitted hat and scarf on a tiny bench, with coins nearby.
Järnpojke shown with a knitted hat and scarf, seated on a small bench with coins scattered around it.
November 2008 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Järnpojke sculpture with a shiny head on a raised platform covered with coins, candies, chocolate bars, and a yellow flower.
The Järnpojke sculpture sits on a raised platform covered with coins, sweets, and a yellow flower.
© · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleJärnpojke
Alternative namesThe Boy Looking at the Moon; Iron Boy; Olle; Niño de Hierro; Le garçon de fer; the little boy who looks at the Moon; little boy looking at the moon
TypeSculpture / public monument

Iconography and meaning

SubjectA seated boy embracing his knees and looking at the Moon
FolkloreRubbing the boy's head is believed to bring good luck and help fulfill wishes

Historical context

Created1954
Installed1967

Creator

SculptorLiss Eriksson
Artist nationalitySwedish

Materials

MaterialsSandstone and wrought iron

Physical characteristics

PlacementThe boy sits on a bed on a fairly wide pedestal
Height15 cm

Discovery and provenance

Artistic originCreated by Liss Eriksson in memory of his childhood, when he would sit on his bed during sleepless nights and look at the Moon outside the window

Location and ownership

LocationBollhustäppan in Gamla stan (Old Town), Stockholm, Sweden, behind the Finnish Church and a few meters from the Stockholm Royal Palace
Claim to fameConsidered the smallest public monument in Stockholm
VisibilityDifficult to find because of its secluded location
Tourist popularityPopular with tourists, though scarcely shown in travel guides

History and restoration

Physical conditionThe boy's head is shiny from constant touching
OfferingsCoins or sweets are thrown onto the pedestal
Seasonal customIn winter, the monument is dressed in a hat and scarf knitted especially for it

Significance

StatusThe smallest public monument in Stockholm