Kalastava karhu / The Fishing Bear

In 1915 a competition was arranged to find sculptures to improve Helsinki’s cityscape. The competition had three series; the purpose was to place a sculpture at both ends of the Pitkäsilta bridge, and in Kaivopuisto and Eira parks. While Pitkäsilta remained without sculptures, the other two series were won by Viktor Jansson. His entries were never realized. Bertel Nilsson’s (1887-1939) draft `The Fishing Bear’, which came second in the series for Kaivopuisto park, was realized, however, and placed in the park in 1916. The Fishing Bear’ is a playfully realistic drinking fountain in red granite. The work belongs to the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed and curated by HAM.