She often disappoints at first sight: she is barely 1.25 metres tall. But this mermaid sitting on her rock is the symbol of Copenhagen and one of the most photographed statues in the world.

1A tale, a ballet and a brewer

Hans Christian Andersen published ‘The Little Mermaid’ in 1837: the story of a mermaid who gives up her voice for a pair of legs to win a prince. In 1909 the brewer Carl Jacobsen, son of Carlsberg’s founder, saw a ballet based on the tale at the Royal Theatre and commissioned the statue from the sculptor Edvard Eriksen. It was unveiled on 23 August 1913.

The face was modelled on the ballerina Ellen Price, who had danced in the ballet of The Little Mermaid. Price refused to pose nude, so the sculptor’s wife, Eline Eriksen, posed for the body.

2A life of mishaps

In 1964 someone sawed off her head, which was never found; a new one had to be made.

In 1984 her right arm was sawn off and returned two days later. In 1998 she lost her head again, and it turned up at a television station. In 2003 an explosion blew her into the water. Each time she has been restored. In 2010 she made her only official journey: to the World Expo in Shanghai.

From here, the way back to the centre passes through Kastellet, the star-shaped 17th-century citadel.

3What to look out for

  • The mermaid’s gaze, turned towards land.
  • Her legs: not quite a fish’s tail yet.
  • The industrial harbour opposite, as unromantic as it is real.

Documented

Edvard Eriksen’s statue, commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, was unveiled on 23 August 1913; it was beheaded in 1964 and 1998.

Oral tradition

That the face is Ellen Price’s and the body Eline Eriksen’s is the usual account; the details of the sittings are known mainly from later testimony.

Sources and credits

Københavns Kommune, ‘Den lille Havfrue’; H.C. Andersen Centre, ‘Den lille Havfrue’ (1837); Den Store Danske (lex.dk), ‘Den lille Havfrue’.

Photos:

  • Red barracks and church inside Kastellet, the citadel next to Langelinie: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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