Sæmundur á selnum

背景

歴史と背景

Ásmundur Sveinsson developed early versions of Sæmundur á selnum in the 1920s. The enlarged bronze version was installed by the University of Iceland’s main building in 1970. The imagery refers to Sæmundur fróði and a well-known tale about tricking the devil, represented as a seal.

Outside the University of Iceland’s main building, Sæmundur á selnum captures an Icelandic folktale in dynamic sculptural form. Sæmundur fróði is shown riding the seal—connected in the legend with the devil—while raising a book. It was created by Ásmundur Sveinsson, one of Iceland’s influential sculptors. The University of Iceland site was given a large bronze version in 1970, although the artist developed the theme decades earlier. The work is outdoors; visit from public campus paths, being considerate of students and campus activities. The sculpture itself is free to view.