“Longing frozen in bronze” is a good way to describe the underwater sculpture we’re about to see. This is Agnete and the Merman. Have you heard the ballad? It’s a Danish folklore tale of love, loss, and longing. The Agnete and the Merman sculpture is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It sits underwater in the Slotsholm Canal next to the Højbro Bridge. Some say it’s one of Copenhagen’s least-known artworks.
Danish sculptor Suste Bonnen created the Agnete and the Merman in 1992. The bronze sculptures portray a merman and his seven sons. They have outstretched arms. They beg Agnete to return home.
The original ballad “Agnete and the Merman” is a fairy tale. It was passed down by word of mouth for generations. Mermaids and mer-people often appear in Danish folklore. Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” is a famous example. It even inspired the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.
Andersen once planned a verse play called “Agnete and the Merman”. Bonnen’s sculptures capture a story of love and loss. They symbolize the cultural importance of Danish folklore. The Agnete and the Merman embodies this tradition.
Agnete was a pretty village girl. A merman emerged from the waves one day. They fell in love. He asked her to marry him and live underwater. She agreed. She bore him seven sons. One day, she heard church bells. Homesickness struck. She asked to visit the church. The merman agreed but made her promise to return.
At church, Agnete learned of her father’s death. He died of sorrow after searching for her. Agnete forgot her merman husband and children. She decided to stay on land. The merman returned to the sea with his sons. They never stopped missing Agnete.
Bonnen’s sculpture captures their loss. The merman and his sons stand among reeds and mosses. They show palpable anguish. Some bury their faces. Others reach for the surface. They plead for their mother’s return. The Slotsholm Canal is the perfect setting. The water reflects clouds creating a hazy view. It’s like a fleeting memory.
Agnete and the Merman is easy to miss. Many tour boats pass by. They ripple the water. Stand on the bridge. Wait for the water to still. Let the sunlight shift. Bring the merman and his children into view. In the evenings, underwater lights give the statue a ghostly glow. The darkness and streetlights add to the poignant scene. The figures seem to keen in the glowing water. When you recount the tale of Agnete and the Merman, your friends will want to see this unusual sight. They will want to visit the emblem of longing.