Captured in bronze, do you see the wistful gaze of The Little Mermaid? She sits here on her rock at Langelinie. She is more than a statue. The Little Mermaid is a symbol of Copenhagen. She embodies a timeless fairy tale.
This iconic statue has a fascinating history. Carl Jacobsen, son of the Carlsberg founder, commissioned it in 1909. He was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. Jacobsen saw a ballet about the Little Mermaid. He was captivated. He asked sculptor Edvard Eriksen to bring the mermaid to life.
Eriksen chose ballerina Ellen Price as the model. She would inspire the statue’s head. However, Price refused to model nude. Eriksen’s wife, Eline Eriksen, then posed for the body. On August 23, 1913, The Little Mermaid was unveiled.
The Little Mermaid statue is surprisingly small. She stands only 1.25 meters tall. She weighs 175 kilograms. Despite her size, she has a huge impact. She attracts visitors from all over the world. The Little Mermaid embodies longing and sacrifice. These are key themes in Andersen’s story. In the tale, a mermaid dreams of becoming human. She makes a painful sacrifice for love.
The Little Mermaid’s journey is not always smooth. She has faced numerous acts of vandalism. In 1964, her head was stolen. A new head was created. In 1984, her right arm was sawn off. It was later returned. In 2003, explosives knocked her off her base. She was found in the harbor.
The Little Mermaid has been doused in paint. She has been dressed in various outfits. These acts range from political statements to playful gestures. In 2004, she was draped in a burqa. This was a protest against Turkey’s EU application.
In 2010, The Little Mermaid traveled to Shanghai. She was displayed at the Danish Pavilion for the World Expo. During her absence, a copy stood in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens.
Did you know that the statue here is a replica? The original is kept in an undisclosed location by the sculptor’s heirs.
The Little Mermaid’s copyright lasts until 2030. This is seventy years after Edvard Eriksen’s death. The heirs protect their rights. They have even sued a newspaper for parodying the statue. However, the Danish Supreme Court sided with the newspaper.
Many copies of The Little Mermaid exist around the world. You can find them in the United States, Spain, and South Korea. There is even one in Monaco.
The Little Mermaid continues to inspire. She appears in films and video games. Her image is used on postcards and travel guides. She stands as a testament to art. She embodies the power of fairy tales.
As you stand before The Little Mermaid, consider her story. Think about her dreams and sacrifices. She reminds us of our own longings. She symbolizes the enduring power of love and hope. She is a mermaid for all time.