Mermaid copenhagen

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, is one of the world's most photographed monuments.

About this subject

The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue) was unveiled on August 23, 1913, on the Copenhagen waterfront, Denmark. Commissioned by brewer Carl Jacobsen (son of Carlsberg's founder), the sculpture was created by artist Edvard Eriksen. The model was ballerina Ellen Price, who posed for the body, but the face was sculpted from Eriksen's wife Eline, as Price refused to pose nude.

Located on the Langelinie promenade, the mermaid stands only 1.25 meters (4.1 feet) tall and weighs about 175 kg (386 lbs). Despite its modest size, it has become an iconic symbol of Copenhagen and Denmark. The statue depicts the character from Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale, which tells the story of a mermaid who sacrifices her voice to become human in pursuit of a prince's love.

Over the years, the Little Mermaid has been the target of numerous vandalism acts. In 1964, her head was sawed off and stolen (never recovered, replaced with a new one). In 1984, the right arm was cut off, and in 1998 the head was again stolen but later returned anonymously. In 2003, the statue was blown off its base by explosives, damaging the arm and shoulder. Each incident sparked national outrage and further increased her fame.

In 2010, the mermaid was transported to the Shanghai World Expo, the first time she left her original location in nearly a century. During her absence, a live video feed displayed her image to visitors in Copenhagen. The statue is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions, receiving millions of photos annually and being reproduced on countless souvenirs, postcards, and artworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Little Mermaid statue so small?

Sculptor Edvard Eriksen chose an intimate scale of 1.25 meters, contrasting with grand monuments. The idea was to convey the fragility and melancholy of the character from Hans Christian Andersen's tale.

Who was the model for the Little Mermaid?

Ballerina Ellen Price posed for the body. However, since she refused to pose nude, the face was sculpted from Eline Eriksen, the artist Edvard Eriksen's wife.

Has the Little Mermaid been damaged or stolen?

Yes, multiple times. The head was stolen in 1964 and 1998, the right arm was cut off in 1984, and in 2003 the statue was blown off its base by vandals. All damages have been repaired.