You have probably seen the art of J. L. Runeberg’s son without knowing – five reasons to feel Walter Runeberg

Prime Minister Sanna Mari and President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö at a briefing on 15 May. The picture has been cut and has been placed next to it as a sculptor Walter Runeberg at a young age. — It was no coincidence that the Prime Minister and the President told about applying for Finland’s NATO membership in front of Walter Runeberg’s gilded Lex sculpture.

Few are deeply familiar with the production of national poet J. L. Runeberg. Instead, the sculptures made by his son may come up in everyday life.

Picture of the Presidential Palace Atrium. In the middle of Walter Runeberg's sculpture by Psychhe Simpies (1872). — Walter Runeberg’s sculpture Psykhe Sepephyry (1872) greets invited guests arriving at the Presidential Palace on the Presidential Palace.

1. His work is on display in the most watched program in Finland

The sculpture, which collected praise at the Vienna World Exhibition in 1873, was bought in Finland and placed in the Imperial Palace, the current Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Walter Runeberg acknowledged FIM 18,000 for the work, which then corresponded to about EUR 87,000.

2. He has sculpted the statue of the Finnish national poet

When Johan Ludvig Runeberg died in 1877, Walter Runeberg was commissioned to implement his father’s memorial statue in Helsinki.

The bronze national poet’s memorial statue was completed in Paris in 1882 and still stands in the middle of the Helsinki Esplanade Park.

Runeberg statue in the Helsinki Esplanade Park. — As a poet, Johan Ludvig Runeberg felt the same sensitivity and artistic in Walter as he himself, which led to his young person’s artistic career. Along with his writing, Johan Ludvig himself had to work as a lecturer at Porvoo High School.

At the foot of Johan Ludvig’s statue, a bear-bearing Finland maid developed by Walter is located. Neutoito can be seen in different versions in other Walter production. One of these is standing in the Presidential Palace State Hall.

3. The Finnish maid of Finland symbolizes the search for NATO membership in Finland

The Finnish maid, who is looking forward to the defiantly forward, stood next to the serious prime minister, Sanna Marin. Firmly on four paws, the stained lion was close to President Sauli Niinistö. The symbolism of the sculpture, the defense of Finland, has survived for over 120 years.

Prime Minister Sanna Mari and President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö at a briefing on 15 May. — The Lex sculpture of the Presidential Palace State Hall is a copy of one of the pedestal figures of the Senate Square Empire. The sculpture is a gold plated plaster light.

4. He has carved the largest monument in Finland

The LEX sculpture is part of Finland’s largest monument, *from the Empire *, located on the Senate Square in Helsinki.

Alexander II statue at the Senate Square in Helsinki. In the background of the cathedral. — Walter Runeberg made a statue of Alexander II and its included pedestal figures for 10 years.

In the memorial statue of Alexander II, it was intended to emphasize that the emperor had maintained Finland’s autonomous law and position as a ruler. Walter described these rights in the themes of four pedestal figures, which are law (Lex), science and art (lux), peace (pax) and work (Labor).

Alexander II was once a keen ruler, but in recent years the statue’s position and significance have been questioned.

5. He is one of the most famous sculptors in Finland in the world

Walter Runeberg made most of his career abroad. Dad’s relationships, name and money were useful, but he was also good at work.

Walter Runeberg’s sculptures can be found across the Nordic countries and elsewhere in Europe. During his career, he made more than a hundred breasts, three large multi -duty works, dozens of sculpture groups, and numerous tombstones and portraits of portraits.

Half -seven visited Porvoo in the Walter Runeberg sculpture collection: