Lyhdynkantajat, Granite sculptural group at Helsinki Central Railway Station, Finland
Lyhdynkantajat comprises four male granite figures, each holding spherical lamps that illuminate the railway station's entrance after dark. Each figure is carved with strong proportions and carries the light fixture in a composed, dignified manner.
Finnish sculptor Emil Wikström created these granite figures in 1914 as part of Eliel Saarinen's Art Nouveau railway station design. The work was completed during a period when the city was undergoing major architectural transformation.
The figures embody Finnish identity through their strong features and hairstyles reflecting the national movement of the early 1900s. They stand as a symbol of local culture at one of the city's most important entrances.
The sculptures sit at the main entrance of the central railway station and are visible from both inside and outside the building. Those wanting to see the lamps illuminated should visit after dark.
The granite figures were crafted at the Ab Granit Oy factory in Hanko and were modeled on a local farmer named Jalmari Lehtinen. This personal connection between the sculptures and a real individual gives them a human quality.
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