Den Store Havfrue Statue Sparks Pornography Dispute

The Mermaid’s War: Denmark Divided Over a Hefty Sculpture

A monumental granite mermaid is at the centre of a fierce cultural storm in Denmark. The artwork, a massive sculpture weighing 14 tonnes called Den Store Havfrue (or The Big Mermaid), faces eviction from its post at a historic Copenhagen fortress. Denmark's agency for culture and palaces argues the artwork clashes with the site's heritage. This decision has ignited a nationwide debate. The conversation touches on artistic freedom, public taste, and the modern representation of women. The statue's future now hangs in the balance, caught between official directives and passionate public opinion. This conflict questions the place of contemporary art within treasured historical landscapes.

An Unwelcome Addition to Heritage

The controversy began when the state cultural agency requested the statue's removal from the historic Dragør Fort site. This location is a key part of Copenhagen's historic maritime defence network, dating back to 1910. The agency asserts that the modern sculpture fails to harmonize with the landmark's cultural and historical environment. Its substantial size, measuring four by six metres, makes it an imposing figure against the fort's backdrop. Officials state the primary issue is one of historical congruity, not artistic merit alone. Their argument's core rests on preserving the authentic atmosphere of the century-old military installation for future generations.

Critics Brand Sculpture "Ugly and Pornographic"

The sculpture has drawn sharp criticism from several prominent Danish commentators. Mathias Kryger, an art critic, bluntly labelled the work "ugly and pornographic". This sentiment was echoed by others who questioned its artistic value. Sorine Gotfredsen, who is a priest and also a journalist, offered a more detailed critique. She suggested the figure represents a man's idealised and unrealistic fantasy of the female form. In her view, such representations are unlikely to help women accept their own bodies. Gotfredsen further stated that the work is considered by a large number of people to be coarse, uninspired, and simply undesirable in a public space.

The Artist Defends His Creation

Peter Bech, the man who commissioned and created the sculpture, expressed confusion over the intense criticism. He defended the mermaid's design, stating that her physical attributes are proportional to her grand scale. In his view, a large woman would naturally have large features, and the artistic representation is a matter of anatomical accuracy rather than gratuitousness. Bech considers the negative reactions to be "pure nonsense". He believes the work is a valuable addition to the Dragør area, attracting visitors and stimulating local interest. He stands by his artistic choices and rejects the notion that the sculpture is offensive.

A Question of Body Image

The debate quickly moved beyond simple aesthetics into the complex territory of body image. Aminata Corr Thrane, a debate editor, framed the scrutiny of the mermaid's chest as a form of body shaming. She posed a challenging question, asking whether unclothed female chests need to meet a certain scholarly standard for shape and dimension to be permissible in the public sphere. Another supporter, municipal politician Paw Karslund, called the "ugly and pornographic" argument overly primitive. Karslund stated, "We shouldn't be so afraid of a pair of breasts," suggesting the controversy reflects an outdated anxiety about the female body.

A Tale of Two Mermaids

Much of the discussion inevitably compares Den Store Havfrue with Copenhagen's most famous resident, the Little Mermaid. The celebrated bronze figure, created by Edvard Eriksen in 1913, is a national symbol inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale. As Aminata Corr Thrane noted, the larger mermaid is arguably less naked than her smaller counterpart but possesses a more substantial bust, which she believes is the root of the problem. She mused that these two figures might represent a duality of womanhood, embodying the perpetual cultural struggle to define what makes a woman "real" or "wrong". One critic even dubbed the larger statue a "pumped-up reality TV version of the Little Mermaid."

A History of Rejection

This is not the first time Den Store Havfrue has been forced to move. The sculpture's journey began in 2006 when it was installed on Langelinie Pier, placing it near the iconic Little Mermaid. The placement was intentional, designed to capitalise on the tourist traffic in the area. However, the work faced removal during 2018 following a backlash from local residents. People in the area labelled it an inauthentic and crude imitation, prompting its relocation. This earlier episode established a pattern of controversy that has followed the sculpture from one location to another, highlighting a persistent clash of public tastes.

Image Credit - The Telegraph

No Sanctuary at Dragør Fort

Following its removal from Langelinie Pier, the mermaid found a new home at Dragør Fort, roughly 15 kilometres south of the Danish capital. It remained there until March 2025, when the state's cultural authority intervened. Citing heritage concerns, the agency officially requested its removal from the historic site. Subsequently, Peter Bech offered to donate the hefty granite figure to the Dragør municipality as a permanent gift. However, the local government reportedly declined the offer, leaving the artwork's future uncertain once more. The search for a permanent, welcoming home for the colossal figure continues.

The Practicalities of a Granite Giant

The Dragør municipality’s refusal of the donated statue was not just about the controversy. Helle Barth, who chairs the municipality’s committee for climate, urban affairs, and business, explained the decision in practical terms. She said that while the offer was appreciated, the sculpture is simply too large and difficult to accommodate. The statue, she explained, is challenging to place and consumes a large area. This highlights a different dimension of the problem: the sheer logistical challenge of placing a 14-tonne granite artwork. Even with willing public support, the sheer mass of this mermaid's size poses a significant obstacle for any potential host.

The People's Mermaid?

Despite the official rejections, sculptor Peter Bech insists that his creation has found favour with many local residents in Dragør. He claims that he frequently receives positive feedback from townspeople who express their love for the sculpture. This apparent public support fuels his hope of finding a solution that allows the sculpture to stay locally. The artist's original motivation for the work was a response to comments he heard from tourists, who often expressed disappointment at the small size of the original Little Mermaid. Bech aimed to create a mermaid that could not be overlooked.

A New Chapter in Tårnby

Recent reports indicate a potential resolution may be on the horizon. The neighbouring municipality of Tårnby has reportedly agreed to accept the statue. This development suggests that Den Store Havfrue may soon have a new home, ending its period of uncertainty at Dragør Fort. The move would shift the sculpture to a new community, offering a fresh start away from the specific heritage constraints of its previous location. While details of the relocation are still emerging, the decision by Tårnby provides a crucial lifeline for the controversial artwork, ensuring it will remain on public display.

The Role of Cultural Guardians

The national agency for culture and palaces acts as the guardian of the nation's state-owned historical sites. Its mission is to preserve these locations for the future, ensuring their historical integrity remains intact. Its intervention concerning Dragør Fort is consistent with this mandate. The agency oversees hundreds of protected properties, and its guidelines on art in historic settings are strict. The decision reflects a policy that prioritises the preservation of a site's original character over the introduction of contemporary, and potentially conflicting, artistic statements. The agency’s stance is rooted in a conservationist ethos.

The Legacy of Dragør Fort

Dragør Fort is not merely a scenic location; it is a significant piece of Danish military history. Built between 1910 and 1915, it was part of the extensive fortifications designed to protect Copenhagen from naval attack. The fort served as an active military installation for decades before being decommissioned and opened to the public. Its architecture and layout are preserved examples of early 20th-century defensive design. This rich history is central to the culture agency's argument. For preservationists, the fort is a historical document that should not be altered by large-scale modern additions, regardless of their artistic merit.

Denmark's Broader Art Debates

The dispute over Den Store Havfrue is not an isolated event. It reflects a wider, ongoing conversation in Denmark and beyond about the role of public art. Similar controversies have erupted over statues and monuments in numerous countries, often pitting historical preservation against contemporary values. In recent years, debates have led to the removal of historical figures, while new installations have faced scrutiny for their style or message. This global context reveals that the mermaid's saga is part of a larger cultural reckoning with public monuments and who gets to decide what they represent.

 Image Credit - Mirror

The Enduring Power of the Female Form

At its core, the controversy touches on the timeless and often contentious subject of the female nude in art. From ancient Venus figurines to modern photography, the representation of the female body has always provoked strong reactions. The criticisms of the mermaid as "pornographic" and the defence of her form as natural reflect two poles in this long-standing debate. The conflict highlights how interpretations of the body are shaped by social norms, feminist critiques of the "male gaze," and individual perceptions of art. The mermaid has become an unwitting participant in this centuries-old dialogue.

An Uncertain Future Awaits

While the move to Tårnby seems likely, the story of Den Store Havfrue underscores the complexities of public art in the 21st century. The journey of this massive artwork from one pier to another, from one controversy to the next, highlights a society grappling with its own values. The mermaid has forced a conversation that blends artistic taste, cultural heritage, feminist thought, and simple logistics. Her fate serves as a powerful case study in the challenges of creating and placing art for the public, where a single piece can become a lightning rod for a nation's anxieties and aspirations.