“What are those figures doing under the water?”
That’s the question many ask when they first spot Agnete and the Merman. This captivating sculpture resides underwater in Copenhagen’s Slotsholm Canal. It sits right next to the Højbro Bridge. Agnete and the Merman is one of Copenhagen’s least-known artworks.
The Danish artist Suste Bonnen created it in 1992. The sculpture portrays a merman and his seven sons. They have outstretched arms. They are begging Agnete to return home.
The tale of Agnete and the Merman is rooted in Danish folklore. It tells of a pretty village girl named Agnete. One day, a handsome merman emerged from the waves. Agnete was smitten. She agreed to marry him and live with him underwater. She bore him seven sons.
One day, Agnete heard church bells. Homesickness struck her. She begged the merman to let her go to church. He agreed but made her promise to return.
At church, she learned of her father’s death. He died of sorrow after searching for her. Agnete forgot her merman family. She decided to stay on land.
In some versions, the merman pleads with her to return. He tells her the children are crying. Agnete ignores him and returns to her old life.
The merman returns to the sea with his sons. They never see Agnete again. The family is filled with longing.
Suste Bonnen captured this loss in bronze. She placed the figures underwater. The merman and his sons stand among the reeds. They reach toward the surface. They plead for their mother’s return.
The swirling water adds to the sculpture’s mystery. It creates a fleeting, dreamlike view. The Slotsholm Canal is the perfect setting for this tale of love and loss.
Many visitors miss Agnete and the Merman. They are distracted by the nearby Christiansborg Palace. Tour boats also ripple the water. It is worth waiting for calm water to see the figures clearly.
In the evenings, the statue is lit with blue-green or golden light. The darkness makes the scene even more poignant. The figures seem to undulate in the glow. They keen in the underwater lights.
When you return home, you can share the tale of Agnete and the Merman. You will be the only one who saw this mourning family under the water. Your friends will want to return to Copenhagen. They will want to see this emblem of longing. This is a unique Copenhagen sight.