John Ericsson monument, Göteborg, Bronze memorial statue in Göteborg, Sweden
The John Ericsson Monument is a full-length bronze statue of the inventor, standing at the start of Kungsportsavenyen between Nya Allén and Parkgatan, in the northeastern part of Kungsparken. It rests on a pedestal designed by architects Isak Gustaf Clason, Yngve Rasmussen and Eugen Thorburn. The statue was modelled by Ingel Fallstedt and inaugurated on 6 October 1899.
Ericsson was a Swedish engineer who developed the screw propeller and designed the USS Monitor, an ironclad warship used during the American Civil War. The monument honors his contributions to revolutionary changes in ship design during the 1800s.
The statue was funded by a collection started by railway builder Claes Adelsköld. Its pedestal was designed by architects Isak Gustaf Clason, Yngve Rasmussen and Eugen Thorburn after Fallstedt's own column idea was rejected. A memorial plaque lists Ericsson's work in Sweden, England and the USA.
The monument stands in downtown Göteborg and is easy to reach when visiting other central landmarks. The location works well for a walking tour if you want to learn more about maritime history while exploring the city.
Sculptor Ingel Fallstedt took his own life shortly after finishing the model but before the bronze was cast. His assistant Ludvig Brandstrup and others said "it was the statue that killed him". Fallstedt had never worked in bronze before, and the lower body caused him long struggles.
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