Whaler's Monument

Whaler's Monument, also known as The Whaling Monument (Norwegian: Hvalfangstmonumentet), is a rotating bronze memorial statue situated by the harbor in Sandefjord, Norway. It is located at the end of Jernbanealleen, which is the main street in town.[1][2][3]

Whaler's Monument (Hvalfangstmonumentet)
Whaler's Monument (Hvalfangstmonumentet) on Jernbanealleen. photo by Helge Høifødt

The monument was created by Norwegian sculptor Knut Steen[4] for which he won a competition in which more than one hundred sculptors had competed. A commission was granted to Knut Steen in 1953. The work took seven years to complete. It was first unveiled in 1960 and has become one of his most widely recognized works of sculpture.[5][6]

It features an elegant, fishing boat raised by a whale fin. It depicts four stylized figures of whalers with oars in an open boat, with harpoons ready and water spraying. It is made in the style of a compass rose and rotates slowly. Central parts are made of bronze and weighs 26 tons. The dramatic effect is enhanced by the water columns in the fountain that are regulated at different heights. The pool has 128 underwater lights. Around the fountain are stylized reliefs in granite from modern whaling.[7][8][9]

The costs associated with the design and construction of the sculpture were donated to the city by shipowner and whaling magnate, Lars Christensen. Earlier Consul Christensen had also funded the costs associated with the construction and development of the Sandefjord Museum. [10][11]

References
  1. "The Whaling Monument". www.visitvestfold.com. Retrieved 2017-12-13.
  2. "Hvalfangstmonumentet". lokalhistoriewiki.no. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  3. Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (1998). Bli kjent med Vestfold / Become acquainted with Vestfold. Stavanger Offset AS. Page 96. ISBN 9788290636017.
  4. Tollnes, Ivar and Olaf Akselsen (1994). Sandefjord: Den lille storbyen. Sandefjords blad. Page 109. ISBN 9788299070447.
  5. Svein Olav Hoff. "Knut Steen". Norsk kunstnerleksikon. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  6. Sandberg, Finn. "Hvalfangstmonumentet". Sandefjord Bibliotek. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  7. "Sandefjords Blad - «Hvalfangstmonumentet»". www.sb.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2017-12-13.
  8. "The Whaling Monument". www.visitnorway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-13.
  9. DK (2014). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Norway. Penguin. Page 129. ISBN 9781465432469.
  10. "The Whaling Museum Sandefjord or Hvalfangstmuseet". norwaves.com. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  11. Joh.N.Tønnesen. "Consul Lars Christensen". Thor-Glimt Nr.18 – Juni 1966. Retrieved March 1, 2018.

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