Maalaisten talon julkisivuveistokset / Sculptures on the facade of Maalaistentalo

On both sides of the main entrance to the Maalaistentalo building are brick columns with a male and a female figure on top. Sculpted from red granite, both figures’ attributes refer to agricultural professions: the woman holds a sheaf under her arm and a sickle in one hand, the man holds a sowing basket at his right side. The granite figures were created by the sculptor Into Saxelin. The Maalaistentalo building (‘Country People’s House’) was completed in spring 1921.

Into Saxelin was born in Hämeenlinna to an industrialist family, and died of a sudden illness in Paris at the height of his creativity. He nevertheless had time to attain recognition as a sculptor. His works include some portraits and public works, such as the Statue of Freedom in Oulu, a piece called The Surprise in Meilahti in Helsinki, and a memorial to Finnish soldiers who died in the Estonian war of independence, erected in the Old Church Park in Helsinki.

The sculptures do not belong to the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed by HAM.