The pictures show Havis Amanda’s condition: there is even a rust spot on the shoulder when some metal object has rested on it.
Over the careful conservation of a hundred-year-old bronze sculpture is quite a challenging task, because Havis Amanda’s damages are many and the sculpture has been through a lot.
Conservator of the Helsinki Art Museum Polina Semenova compiled a fitness report last year after the statue was climbed on top of the ice hockey World Cup victory.
Havis Amanda was checked using a personal lift.
The previous similar inspection was carried out in 2019.
Observations are sad.
Mainly climbing-related damages include cracking of the bronze on the outer perimeter of the upper basin, scratching on the figure’s mid-body, especially the buttocks, and concrete damage to the lower basin. Probably the protruding shape of the buttocks provides a suitable foothold to climb on top of the statue.
Havis Amanda’s surface is roughened, and there are rust spots on the arm. Some metal object has scratched the bronze surface.
There is wear and scratches, especially in the central part of the statue.
Finns will celebrate the Olympic gold in ice hockey with the statue of Manta in February 2022.
Of these in addition, the salty and windy climate as well as seagulls’ claws and excrement erode the surface of the sculpture.
For example, Havis Amanda’s right shoulder has a small hole, about three millimeters in diameter.
The sculpture is hollow, and the bronze casting is only five millimeters thick.
There are even bigger holes in the tails of sea lions. There are numerous holes in these outdoor pool decorations, and they were created when the sea lions were diligently petted. Mechanical contact has revealed air bubbles during casting.
Sea lions have big holes in their tails.
Semenova classifies the sediments of the upper basin as perhaps the most difficult conservation target.
“The upper basin is also visually inclined,” says Semenova.
For this reason, the sculpture is being moved aside, so that the foundations of the statue and the granite pool, which has come apart at the seams, can be repaired.
The previous one once Havis Amanda was under conservation in 2014. At that time the surface of the statue was cleaned and waxed.
In addition to conservation, the Helsinki Art Museum now has to consider whether there would be a need to draw up a regular maintenance program for Havis Amanda. For example, due to regular waxing, the statue would not need to be moved.
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