Bronze figures stand silently beneath the water’s surface. These figures form the sculpture called Stræben. The artist Suste Bonnen created Stræben in 1992. It is located underwater in Copenhagen’s Slotsholm Canal near Højbro Bridge. Many consider it one of Copenhagen’s least-known artworks.
Agnete and the Merman inspired the sculpture. The sculpture portrays a merman with his seven sons. They stretch their arms out in desperation. They beg Agnete to return home.
The story of Agnete is a tragic one. A merman fell in love with Agnete. She was a human. He asked her to marry him and live with him underwater. She agreed and bore him seven sons. One day, Agnete heard church bells ringing. She visited the land. Agnete promised to return but she never did.
The sculptures capture the family’s sorrow. The children reach for the surface. Some hide their faces in their hands. The swirling water adds to the poignant scene. It makes it seem like a fleeting memory.
Three other merfolk sculptures exist in Copenhagen. There is the “Black Diamond Mermaid”. There is also a large granite mermaid on the cruise ship dock. And of course the famous Little Mermaid statue. She sits on the water’s edge along Langelinie promenade.
Mermaids are recurring figures in Danish folklore. Hans Christian Andersen wrote “The Little Mermaid”. This story inspired the Little Mermaid statue. It has become a symbol of Denmark. Andersen even planned a verse play called “Agnete and the Merman.”
Agnete and the Merman symbolizes Danish folklore’s cultural importance. The Greeks eternalized their mythology with statues. Similarly, Suste Bonnen used bronze to capture a story of love and loss.
Finding Stræben can be tricky. Many tourists are busy looking at Christiansborg Palace. Tour boats often ripple the water’s surface. To see the sculpture clearly, wait for the water to still. Or wait for the sunlight to shift. Then the merman and his children come into view.
Some say the tale dates back to medieval folklore. Agnete was a young village girl. The merman was handsome. She instantly fell in love with him. She forgot her home, chores, and family. She went into the water with the merman. They lived happily ever after. She gave birth to seven mer-sons.
One day she heard church bells. She felt homesick. The merman reluctantly let her go to church. He made her promise to return. At church, she saw her mother. She learned her father had died of sorrow. He had searched for her for years. Agnete forgot her merman and children. She decided to stay on land.
The merman pleaded with her. He told her the children were crying. But Agnete brushed him aside. She returned to her old life. The merman returned to the sea with his children. They never saw Agnete again.
This bronze Stræben sculpture reminds us of the enduring power of folklore. It reminds us of love and loss. The next time you are in Copenhagen take a moment to reflect upon Stræben.