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Havis Amanda

Havis Amanda is a bronze statue by Ville Vallgren, created in 1905 and standing in the center of a fountain at the edge of Kauppatori Square in central Helsinki. Including the fountain basin, it is 5 meters high. The sculpture depicts a mermaid who has chosen to leave the sea and step onto land. In Vallgren’s imagination, Havis Amanda embodies Helsinki, the daughter of the Baltic Sea, and represents the soul of the city on the shore. She is shown at the moment she takes her first steps on land, looking back one last time toward the sea. The statue has also become central to Vappu celebrations, when students wash it and place a student cap on it.

Havis Amanda fountain with a nude female figure and seal statues around the base.
Havis Amanda fountain photographed in black and white, showing the central female figure and the seal statues at its base.
© Konrad Hahm · Public domain
Havis Amanda fountain with a bronze female statue on a pedestal, surrounded by sea lion figures and patches of snow.
Havis Amanda fountain in Helsinki, showing the bronze mermaid statue on its stone pedestal with sea lion figures around the base.
November 2008 © · CC BY 2.0
Havis Amanda statue stands on a fountain in a city square.
Havis Amanda rises from a fountain in Helsinki’s city square.
© · Public domain
Havis Amanda fountain topped with a female figure and surrounded by marine sculptures, covered in snow.
Havis Amanda in Helsinki, shown as a snow-covered bronze fountain with marine figures.
February 2021 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Havis Amanda statue on a Finnish postage stamp with water spouting from marine animals at the base.
Finnish postage stamp depicting the Havis Amanda fountain sculpture.
1985 © Post of Finland · Public domain

Identification

TitleHavis Amanda
Alternative namesManta; Merenneito; La sirène; Haaviston Manta
Original titleMerenneito
Original title meaningMermaid

Historical context

Year created1906
Year installed1908
Unveiling date20 September 1908
Artistic styleArt Nouveau; Parisian Art Nouveau

Creator

ModelMarcelle Delquini, a 19-year-old Parisian woman; according to Vallgren's letters/recollections
Fountain designerEliel Saarinen
ArtistVille Vallgren (1855–1940)

Discovery and provenance

Place of creationParis
Commissioning influenceAlbert Edelfelt helped secure the commission

Physical characteristics

TypeBronze fountain statue of a nude female figure
Height of sculpture194 cm
Total height5 m
Pedestal and basin materialGranite

Materials

Main materialBronze

Appearance

Associated figuresFour fish spouting water at her feet and four sea lions around the composition
Depicted figureA mermaid or sea maiden rising from the water, leaning back and looking over her shoulder as if bidding farewell to the sea

Iconography and meaning

InterpretationSeen as the embodiment or soul of Helsinki, the daughter of the Baltic Sea
Symbolic meaningIntended to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki

Location and ownership

Current locationMarket Square, Helsinki, Finland
SettingAt the center of a fountain on the edge of Market Square, near Esplanadi Park
Local nameManta

History and restoration

ConditionThe statue is old and hollow, and there are concerns it could break if people climb on it
2023 removalDismantled on 3 May 2023 during reconstruction of the fountain and adjacent square; moved to an unspecified location
Associated criticismThe sea lions were also criticized for their exotic appearance
Public criticismSome women's rights critics called the figure plain and compared it to a French prostitute
Initial receptionInitially controversial; its nudity and seductive appearance drew criticism, including complaints about the figure's anatomy and placement

Significance

PopularityOne of the best-known monuments in Helsinki and one of Vallgren's best-known works
Vappu traditionA central feature of Finnish May Day (Vappu) celebrations, especially the Mantan lakitus capping ceremony
Vappu ritualStudents wash the statue and place a student cap on it on 30 April at 6:00 PM; people present often wear caps and celebrate with champagne
Vappu participationTypical attendance is about 20,000 to 30,000 people
Related customsLocal students also kiss Amanda despite the water
2014 temporary installationIn 2014, Tatzu Nishi created a temporary hotel installation called Hotel Manta of Helsinki around the statue, used as a hotel room at night and exhibition space by day; it attracted over 23,000 visitors
2002 eventIn 2002, Spencer Tunick organized the Nude Adrift, Finland 3 photoshoot of voluntary nude Finns around the statue, drawing almost 2,000 participants
2020 measuresDuring Vappu 2020, the city and police temporarily fenced off the statue because of COVID-19 concerns and directed the public to a digital capping version
Historical reception contextAfter installation, the work gradually gained acceptance and came to be seen by residents as the spirit of the city