VALLGREN, Ville

Ville Vallgren, the “Frenchman” amongst the Finns, was another who wanted his art to stir up emotions rather than simply provide aesthetic pleasure. His sculptures, unmistakably femmes de l’Art Nouveau, were nevertheless chiefly exercises in style: female dancers in the roundelays of the turn of the century. Vallgren’s homage to women fell fully in line with the spirit of the age.

The stylized figure is typical of Vallgren’s combination of sculpture and applied art.

The Art Nouveau statue, representing a female nude (a mermaid), was sculpted by Vallgren in 1906 in Paris. It was erected at its present location in 1908. According to Vallgren’s letters, the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian woman, Marcelle Delquin.

The mermaid stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet, surrounded by four sea lions. Vallgren intended to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki.

The fountain is very popular; it serves every year on Vappu (Walpurgis night) as a centrepiece for celebrations.

The Art Nouveau statue, representing a female nude (a mermaid), was sculpted by Vallgren in 1906 in Paris. It was erected at its present location in 1908. According to Vallgren’s letters, the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian woman, Marcelle Delquin.

The mermaid stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet, surrounded by four sea lions. Vallgren intended to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki.

The fountain is very popular; it serves every year on Vappu (Walpurgis night) as a centrepiece for celebrations.

The Art Nouveau statue, representing a female nude (a mermaid), was sculpted by Vallgren in 1906 in Paris. It was erected at its present location in 1908. According to Vallgren’s letters, the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian woman, Marcelle Delquin.

The mermaid stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet, surrounded by four sea lions. Vallgren intended to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki.

The Art Nouveau statue, representing a female nude (a mermaid), was sculpted by Vallgren in 1906 in Paris. It was erected at its present location in 1908. According to Vallgren’s letters, the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian woman, Marcelle Delquin.

The mermaid stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet, surrounded by four sea lions. Vallgren intended to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki.

Ville Vallgren, the “Frenchman” amongst the Finns, was another who wanted his art to stir up emotions rather than simply provide aesthetic pleasure. His sculptures, unmistakably femmes de l’Art Nouveau, were nevertheless chiefly exercises in style: female dancers in the roundelays of the turn of the century. Vallgren’s homage to women fell fully in line with the spirit of the age.

This statuette represents a water lily dish with two figures.