Statues - Hither & Thither

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Helsinki
Uusimaa

Sibeliuksen puisto
(Sibelius park)

Ilmatar ja sotka

Ilmatar and the Scaup

Aarre Aaltonen
1946

Description

Bronze sculpture depicting Kalevala's creation myth. Ilmatar, the spirit or goddess of the air is impregnated by a storm and expects Väinämöinen (the symbol of Kalevala's epic). She drifts in the sea for 700 years until a scaup settles on her knee, mistaking it for an islet, and lays seven eggs which she then begins to brood. The heat from the brooding makes Ilmatar move her leg and the eggs break, becoming the earth, sky, sun, moon, etc.

Inscription(s)

TUULI NEITTA
TUUITTELI. kalev. i

TULI SOTKA
SUORA LINTU
kalev. i

Signature

1939-1940 / aarre aaltonen

Annotation

In 1939 the Leo and Regina Wainstain foundation organized a competition for a sculpture with a Kalevala theme to be erected in Helsinki. The competition was won by Aarre Aaltonen's entry and it was decided that the bronze piece would be placed in what is today known as the Sibelius park. The piece was unveiled in 1946. The sculpture's pedestal is of red Vehmaa granite. It contains an inscribed quote from the beginning of Kalevala, recounting the myth of Ilmatar and the scaup.

Artist

Aarre Aaltonen (Pöytyä 1889 - 1980), Finnish sculptor, cousin of Wäinö Aaltonen (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Helsinki City Artmuseum, Public Art.
Wikipedia, Ilmatar ja sotka

Location (N 60°10'56" - E 24°54'58") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: fi097; Photograph: 30 June 2013
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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