Näckens polska, a sculpture created by Bror Hjorth in Uppsala in 1967, stands as a six-meter-tall sculpture group. On one side, Näcken is depicted playing the violin with a very roughly hewn face and large teeth. On the other side, Huldran is depicted.
The sculpture is one of Bror Hjorth's most famous works. The creation of the statue from a 1951 commission was laborious, including a requirement that Näcken's penis be changed as some felt it appeared erect. The design of the sculpture, and particularly the genitals of Näcken, still evokes strong emotions.
The name Näckens polska is also the name of several folk tunes from various parts of the country. It is the title of an old folk song from Gotland and a folk song with lyrics by Arvid August Afzelius first published in Iduna in 1812.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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