Viktor Jansson: The Mermaid, 1941. © Photo: HAM Helsinki Art Museum Merenneito / The Mermaid Artist Viktor Jansson Eteläesplanadi 22, Kaartinkaupunki, Helsinki ‘The Mermaid’ fountain is placed in front of the Bensow building. The placement of this graceful sculpture, surrounded by a small oasis deep in a courtyard, offers the passer-by a chance to withdraw from the busy street to relax for a short while. ‘The Mermaid’ is the first of Viktor Jansson’s fountains made to the same theme. The other, titled ‘Water Nymphs’, is located in the Esplanadi park, close to the Market Square. The fountains were made in consecutive years – ‘The Mermaid’ in 1941 and ‘Water Nymphs’ in 1942. The model for both sculptures – as for Jansson’s other works – was his daughter Tove Jansson, the author of the ‘Moomin’ books. The sculpture is cast in bronze and it is 1.1 metres high. The work doesn’t belong to the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed by HAM. Read more.. At map
