In the context of this artwork, explore the Context of the History.
Emperor Alexander II (1818-1881) was a ruler beloved by the Finns, whose reign and influence helped to produce significant societal changes. He died in 1881 as a victim of a bombing assassination, and in 1884 the Diet of Finland held a design contest for a monument placed at the Senate Square. All notable Finnish sculptors at the time were invited to the contest.This was the first sculpture design contest in Finland. Supported by the estate of the peasants, it was won by Johannes Takanen, with Walter Runeberg at second place, so the board of the contest decided to award the task of the final sculpture to both contestants. However, Johannes Takanen died in 1885, so the task of finishing the sculpture fell entirely on Runeberg, who combined Takanen's ideas with his own.
Placing the statue at its exact location required precise work. According to experts, the statue should be located in the centre of the square in line with the main entrance doors to the Senate and to the University of Helsinki. Thus the matter had to be settled in the City Council of Helsinki, which appointed a 211 square metre space in the centre of the square for the statue.
Walter Runeberg Senate Square City Council of Helsinki Johannes Takanen Alexander II Helsinki Diet of Finland monument Finland Finnish Alexander I University of Helsinki a bombing assassination