Fideicommissum, Bronze fountain sculpture at Wanås Sculpture Park in Knislinge, Sweden

Fideicommissum is a dark bronze cast of the artist Ann-Sofi Sidén squatting low to urinate, forearms resting on her thighs, wearing a short-sleeved top and trousers with a side pocket. It stands on the shore of a pond at Wanås Sculpture Park, facing Wanås Castle, and works as a fountain. The hair, sandals and clothing folds are modelled on Roman, Greek and Etruscan sculpture.

The sculpture was created in 2000 and references the Swedish fideicommissum system, which mandated inheritance pass to eldest sons until legal changes in 1964. This legal institution shaped property rights and family structures in Sweden for centuries.

The name references an old Swedish inheritance system that shaped family property laws for centuries. Visitors can observe how the work addresses traditional social structures through its physical form.

The sculpture is permanently on display within the castle park and accessible during all visits to the site. Visitors should expect natural ground conditions and weather exposure in this outdoor setting.

The artist created this work as a self-portrait following a personal moment of relief found in nature during her initial planning visit to the castle grounds. This experience directly shaped the emotional and formal qualities of the finished piece.