Alexander II (statue in Helsinki)

Last updated
Alexander II
11-07-29-helsinki-by-RalfR-149.jpg
The statue of Alexander II in front of the Helsinki Cathedral.
Artist Johannes Takanen
Walter Runeberg
YearApril 1894
Medium
  • Statue
  • sculpture
Subject Grand Duke of Finland Alexander II
LocationHelsinki, Finland

Alexander II is a monumental statue located at the Senate Square in central Helsinki, Finland.

Contents

The main figure in the statue depicts the Grand Duke of Finland Alexander II giving a speech at the 1863 Diet of Finland that he had assembled, wearing the uniform of an officer of the Finnish Guards' Rifle Battalion. The statue also includes four allegorical sculptures, representing four different virtues - Law (Latin: Lex), Work (Labor), Peace (Pax) and Light (Lux).

Ordered by the Estates and designed by Johannes Takanen (1849–1885) and Walter Runeberg, the monument was revealed in April 1894. The revelation was a great patriotic demonstration to the memory of emperor Alexander II, who was instrumental in establishing Finnish statehood, the first constitution of Finland, granting Finnish an official status for the first time in history, and who is remembered by the Finns as a liberal ruler supporting limits on the autocracy of the emperor. [1]

During the Russification of Finland started in 1899 by Nicholas II of Russia - the grandson of Alexander II - the statue became established as the site of anti-Russian demonstrations, remembering Alexander II who had become popularised as the "liberator emperor".

There are currently only two monuments to Alexander II outside Russia on public spaces. The other one is the Monument to the Tsar Liberator in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. [1] A sculpture by Mark Antokolsky is located on the courtyard of the Kyiv National Picture Gallery  [ wikidata ] in Kyiv, Ukraine. [2] There is a monumental column in Shevchenko Park, Odesa, Ukraine.

History

Context

Johannes Takanen's design. Johannes Takanen - Ehdotus Aleksanteri IIn muistomerkiksi.jpg
Johannes Takanen's design.
Walter Runeberg's design. Walter Runeberg - Ehdotus Aleksanteri IIn muistomerkiksi.jpg
Walter Runeberg's design.

Emperor Alexander II (1818–1881) was a ruler beloved by the Finns, whose reign and influence helped to produce significant societal changes. [3] He died in 1881 as a victim of a bombing assassination, and in 1884 the Diet of Finland held a design contest for a monument placed at the Senate Square. All notable Finnish sculptors at the time were invited to the contest. [4]

This was the first sculpture design contest in Finland. Supported by the estate of the peasants, it was won by Johannes Takanen, with Walter Runeberg at second place, so the board of the contest decided to award the task of the final sculpture to both contestants. [4] However, Johannes Takanen died in 1885, so the task of finishing the sculpture fell entirely on Runeberg, who combined Takanen's ideas with his own.

Placing the statue at its exact location required precise work. According to experts, the statue should be located in the centre of the square in line with the main entrance doors to the Senate and to the University of Helsinki. Thus the matter had to be settled in the City Council of Helsinki, which appointed a 211 square metre space in the centre of the square for the statue. [5]

Celebration of the emperor

The revelation on 29 April 1894. Slsa1105 292.jpg
The revelation on 29 April 1894.

The statue was revealed on the emperor's birthday on 29 April 1894. [1] [6] The newspapers assured the public already a few days before the revelation that "The celebration of the emperor has become a common celebration throughout the country. All meaningless bickering has now been cast aside; the entire people now stands as one to show their respect to the memory of the noble emperor." [7]

The day of the revelation became a widespread patriotic demonstration. Three hundred cities and rural municipalities sent their representatives to the revelation event with floral greetings. The event was attended by 30 thousand people, and the event was also celebrated in many other places. [4]

Statue

A close-up of the figure of the emperor himself. Statue of Alexander II in Helsinki - DSC03935.JPG
A close-up of the figure of the emperor himself.
A colour photograph taken between 1890 and 1905. Helsinki Cathedral and statue of Alexander II (1890-1900).jpg
A colour photograph taken between 1890 and 1905.
A picture from 2001. Helsinki Lutheran Chathedral and the statue.jpg
A picture from 2001.

The monument represents realism typical of its era. The bronze statue consists of the figure of Alexander II and four allegorical figures at the base of the sculpture, representing Law (Latin: Lex), Work (Labor), Peace (Pax) and Light (Lux). The pedestal has a total of eight human and animal figures. The figure of Alexander II standing on top of the red granite pedestal is depicted in the uniform of an officer of the Finnish Guards' Rifle Battalion, giving a speech at the 1863 Diet of Finland. As the contest board had liked both Takanen's sketch of the figure of the emperor and Runeberg's ideas for the pedestal figures, Runeberg sculpted the actual statue according to Takanen's sketch, but added the secondary characters he had designed himself and the pedestal to it. [1]

On the southern edge of the pedestal is Law, the goddess of justice with her lions, holding a sword and a shield. On the western edge, facing the main building of the University of Helsinki is Work, a farmer couple, of which the man is holding an axe and the woman is holding a scythe and a wheat bundle. On the northern edge facing the Helsinki Cathedral is Peace, the goddess of peace surrounded by doves. On the eastern edge, facing the Government Palace is Light consisting of two figures: a goddess holding a spectrometer, symbolising science, and a cherub holding a lyre, symbolising the arts.

The year 1863 written on the pedestal is a reminder of the reinstantiation of the Diet of Finland after a pause of half a century.

Among the ten coats of arms representing the historical regions of Finland is also the coat of arms of Kexholm County depicting a burning castle. Coats of arms on each side of the plinth are oriented geographically: to the south under Lex: Uusimaa and Tavastia; to the west under Labor: Satakunta, Finland Proper and Åland; to the north under Pax: Laponia and Ostrobothnia; and to the east under Lux: Kexholm (current Priozersk in Russia), Savonia and Karelia.

The figure of Alexander II is 3.23 metres tall and the secondary figures at the pedestal are 2.3 metres tall. The total height of the monument is 10.67 metres. [1]

The sculpture Law

The most famous part of the monument is the sculpture Law at the pedestal, whose figures have later been interpreted as the Finnish Maiden and the lion of the coat of arms of Finland. A similar female figure clad in a bear skin cape as a personification of Finland had been previously featured at the pedestal of the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg sculpted by Walter Runeberg in 1885 at the Esplanadi park in Helsinki. [1]

The statue protecting the constitution at the pedestal of the statue of Alexander II was a politically daring allegory which annoyed the Fennoman movement.[ why? ] [4]

Two gypsum copies were later made of the statue in the same size, of which one was placed in the main stairway of the House of the Estates and the other at the site of the Parliament of Finland at the time, first at the house of the Helsinki voluntary fire brigade and then at the Heinola house. The statue was located in the chamber behind the seat of the speaker. It was originally intended to be located also in the new Parliament House, but it was decided that it should not contain artwork dating to Grand Duchy period. So the Law sculpture of the parliament was moved to the government assembly hall of the Presidential Palace in place of the former throne of the ruler, where it remains to this day. During transport the head of the Finnish Maiden had to be sawn off. [8] [9]

Reception

A sea of flowers at the statue of Alexander II on 13 March 1899 to remember the date of the death of the emperor. Slsa1237 2.jpg
A sea of flowers at the statue of Alexander II on 13 March 1899 to remember the date of the death of the emperor.

As well as the 1894 revelation, the statue of Alexander II also became a stage for large demonstration during the Russification of Finland starting from 1899. Helsinkians protested against the Russification attempts of Nicholas II by placing excessive amounts of flowers on the statue of the "good emperor" Alexander II. Alexander II was made into a popular emperor through posters, postcards and framed photographs of pictures of the statue. [4]

After Finland became fully independent, nationalist movements sought to erase traces of Russian influence in Helsinki. A column published in Uusi Suomi in summer 1918 demanded the removal of the statue of the Russian "conqueror hostile to our fatherland" and that it should be placed in a museum. These demands were not carried out. [4]

In January 1931 the Lapua Movement threatened to remove the monument to the Russian-era Grand Duke. This threat was connected to the Lapua Movement's goal to manipulate the presidential elections by inciting intense nationalism, but this was met with widespread resistance. The press parodied this by saying, that it would be consistent to also remove the picture of king Gustaf III of Sweden from the Vaasa district court and the Per Brahe Statue, the Turku Castle and the Turku Cathedral from Turku as reminders of Swedish rule. [4] In 1935 it was suggested that the statue of Alexander II should be removed from the Senate Square and replaced with a statue of Aleksis Kivi in front of the main building of the university and a statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim in front of the Government Palace. [10]

The statue of Alexander II was in group 1 in the protection hierarchy made during the Winter War. [4]

In 1942 high-volume groups of the student body of the University of Helsinki demanded that the statue of Alexander II should be moved away from the Senate Square and replaced with a national statue of liberty. The vandalised bust of Alexander I had previously been removed from the celebration hall of the university, where it had been replaced with a marble relief by Wäinö Aaltonen, later destroyed in the bombing of Helsinki in World War II in 1944. According to Erik Kruskopf "A lot of things were said in that conversation, including that we could perhaps accept a Russian in front of the church seeing as there are twelve Jews on its roof." [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue</span> Sculpture primarily concerned as a representational figure

A statue is a free-standing sculpture in which the realistic, full-length figures of persons or animals are carved or cast in a durable material such as wood, metal or stone. Typical statues are life-sized or close to life-size. A sculpture that represents persons or animals in full figure, but that is small enough to lift and carry is a statuette or figurine, whilst those that are more than twice life-size are regarded as a colossal statues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johan Vilhelm Snellman</span> 19th-century Finnish nobleman and nationalist

Johan Vilhelm Snellman was an influential Fennoman philosopher and Finnish statesman, ennobled in 1866. He was one of the most important 'awakeners' or promoters of Finnish nationalism, alongside Elias Lönnrot and J. L. Runeberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Helsinki</span> University in Helsinki, Finland

The University of Helsinki is a public university in Helsinki, Finland. The university was founded in Turku in 1640 as the Royal Academy of Åbo under the Swedish Empire, and moved to Helsinki in 1828 under the sponsorship of Tsar Alexander I. The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available. In 2022, around 31,000 students were enrolled in the degree programs of the university spread across 11 faculties and 11 research institutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugen Schauman</span> Finnish nationalist activist (1875–1904)

Eugen Waldemar Schauman was a Finnish nationalist activist and nobleman. In 1904, Schauman assassinated Nikolai Bobrikov, the Governor-General of Finland.

Helsinki is the capital of Finland and is its largest city. It was founded in the Middle Ages to be a Swedish rival to other ports on the Gulf of Finland, but it remained a small fishing village for over two centuries. Its importance to the Swedish Kingdom increased in the mid-18th century when the fortress originally known as Sveaborg was constructed on islands at the entrance to the harbor. While intended to protect Helsinki from Russian attack, Sveaborg ultimately surrendered to Russia during the Finnish War (1808-1809), and Finland was incorporated into the Russian Empire as part of the Treaty of Fredrikshamn. Russia then moved the Finnish capital from Turku to Helsinki, and the city grew dramatically during the 19th century. Finnish independence, a civil war, and three consecutive conflicts associated with World War II made Helsinki a site of significant political and military activity during the first half of the 20th century. Helsinki hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1952, was a European Capital of Culture in 2000, and the World Design Capital in 2012. It is considered a Beta Level city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC), according to their 2012 analysis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Duchy of Finland</span> Predecessor state of modern Finland (1809–1917)

The Grand Duchy of Finland, officially and also translated as the Grand Principality of Finland, was the predecessor state of modern Finland. It existed between 1809 and 1917 as an autonomous state within the Russian Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senate Square, Helsinki</span> Square in Helsinki, Finland

Senate Square presents Carl Ludvig Engel's architecture as a unique allegory of political, religious, scientific and commercial powers in the centre of Helsinki, Finland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Mechelin</span> Finnish politician, academic, and businessman (1839–1914)

Leopold Henrik Stanislaus Mechelin, known as Leo Mechelin, was a Finnish politician, professor, liberal reformer and businessman. A leading defender of the autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland, and of the rights of women and minorities, Mechelin's 1905–1908 government ("Mechelin's Senate") made Finland the first nation in the world with the universal right to vote and to be elected. During his period in office the freedom of expression, the press, and of assembly were introduced. Mechelin was born and died in Helsinki, Finland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Column</span> Red Square Monument

The Alexander Column, also known as Alexandrian Column, is the focal point of Palace Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The monument was raised after the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon's France. The column is named for Emperor Alexander I of Russia, who reigned from 1801 to 1825.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monument to Nicholas I</span> Equestrian statue in Saint Petersburg, Russia

The Monument to Nicholas I is a bronze equestrian monument of Nicholas I of Russia on St Isaac's Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was created by French sculptor Auguste de Montferrand and unveiled on July 7 [O.S. June 25] , 1859, the six-meter statue was considered a technical wonder at the time of its creation. It is one of only a few bronze statues with only two support points.

The Monument to Alexander II, officially called the Monument to Emperor Alexander II, the Liberator Tsar, is a memorial of Emperor Alexander II of Russia, situated in the immediate surroundings of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. Completed in 2005 and partly inspired by a destroyed imperial monument from 1898, the statue itself was paid for by private donations, with the rest of the monument mainly financed by public funding. The site for the new monument was chosen in part because Alexander helped lay the foundation for the original Christ the Savior Cathedral and ruled during its construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emil Wikström</span> Finnish sculptor

Emil Wikström was a Finnish sculptor. Among his best known works are the Lyhdynkantajat sculptures on the front of the Helsinki Central railway station and the monuments to Elias Lönnrot and Johan Vilhelm Snellman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Eneas Sjöstrand</span> Swedish sculptor

Carl Eneas Sjöstrand was a Swedish sculptor who worked for over 40 years in the Grand Duchy of Finland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Per Brahe statue</span>

The Per Brahe statue is a monument of Per Brahe the Younger, the Governor-General of Finland and first chancellor of the Academy of Turku, located in Brahenpuisto in Turku, Finland. It was designed by Walter Runeberg and unveiled in 1888.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Runeberg</span> Finnish sculptor

Walter Magnus Runeberg was a Finnish neo-classical sculptor. He was the son of Finnish national epic poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finnish art</span>

Finnish art started to form its individual characteristics in the 19th century, when romantic nationalism began to rise in the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suvorov Monument (Saint Petersburg)</span> Monument in Saint Petersburg

The Suvorov Monument is a bronze sculpture of Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov located in Saint Petersburg. It is at the centre of Suvorov Square, opposite the Field of Mars and the Trinity Bridge, and between the Marble Palace and the Saltykov Mansion.

The February Manifesto, also known as His Imperial Majesty's Graceful Announcement was a legislative act given by Emperor of Russia Nicholas II on 15 February 1899, defining the legislation order of laws concerning the Grand Duchy of Finland. This included all laws which also concerned the interest of the Russian Empire. The manifesto left the Diet of Finland only an advisory role in passing these laws. The February Manifesto was seen as the beginning of the first period of Russian oppression and generally the start of Russification of Finland.

The J. K. Paasikivi Memorial, also called Itä ja Länsi is a memorial sculpture for the Finnish president Juho Kusti Paasikivi by the sculptor Harry Kivijärvi, located in Kamppi, Helsinki. The sculpture is located at Paasikivenaukio Square along Mannerheimintie in front of the so-called Supplier House, north of the Lasipalatsi building. The sculpture was revealed in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyhdynkantajat</span> Sculptures at Helsinki Central railway station, Finland

Lyhdynkantajat is a group of sculptures at the main entrance to the Helsinki Central Station in Helsinki, Finland. The sculptures were designed by Emil Wikström and completed in 1914. Lyhdynkantajat is part of the façade of the Art Nouveau station designed by Eliel Saarinen.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Aleksanteri II, art museum of the city of Helsinki. Accessed on 19 February 2011.
  2. ↑ Monument to Alexander II , BaikalNature.
  3. ↑ "Helsinki's Talking Statues". Discover Helsinki. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lindgren, Liisa: Monumentum, muistomerkkien aatteita ja aikaa, Finnish Literature Society 2000.
  5. ↑ Virtanen, Kari O.: Kansakunnan historia 5: ahdistettu kansakunta, p. 56. WSOY, 1974. ISBN   951-0-06476-9.
  6. ↑ Aleksanteri II:n patsaan paljastus Helsingissä huhtik. 29 p. 1894 (kuva), Uusi Kuvalehti 30 March 1899, issue #6, p. 3. Accessed on 18 December 2018.
  7. ↑ Ollila, Anne: Suurmiesjuhlat 1800-luvun lopussa, Ennen ja nyt, historian tietosanomat 25 June 2014.
  8. ↑ Heimolan talosta jäi eduskunnan puhujapönttö, Helsingin Sanomat 11 November 2006. Accessed on 9 July 2017.
  9. ↑ Presidentinlinna Archived 2017-06-17 at the Wayback Machine (photograph on page 4), office of the President of the Republic. Accessed on 9 July 2017.
  10. ↑ Aleksanteri II:n patsas pois Suurtorilta. Aleksis Kiven ja Mannerheimin patsaat torille, Käkisalmen Sanomat 13 July 1935, p. 2. Digital archives of the National Library of Finland.
  11. ↑ Kruskopf, Erik: Veistosten kaupunki. Taidetta Helsingin katukuvassa, p. 9. Schildts, 2000. ISBN   951-50-1240-6.

60°10′10.18″N24°57′08″E / 60.1694944°N 24.95222°E / 60.1694944; 24.95222

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.