The Little Mermaid
Quick facts: The Little Mermaid is a bronze statue in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Commissioned in 1913 by the Carlsberg founder's son, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen.
- At just 1.25 metres, her small size often surprises visitors.
- Frequently vandalized, she is always restored, cherished by locals.
The story behind...
Den Lille Havfrue — The Little Mermaid — sits on the water's edge at Langelinie, one of Copenhagen's most photographed statues.
Sculptor Edvard Eriksen created the bronze figure in 1913, commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, son of the Carlsberg Breweries founder, after he was captivated by a ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale at the Royal Theatre.
Eriksen's wife, Eline, modeled for the statue's body — the ballerina Ellen Price, his first choice, declined to pose nude. Made of bronze and granite, the statue stands just 1.25 metres tall, far smaller than most visitors expect.
Over the years she has been vandalized many times — beheaded, painted, even knocked from her base — yet always restored, a sign of how dearly Copenhageners hold her.
