Man Meets the Sea

Man Meets the Sea (Danish: Mennesket ved Havet, sometimes translated "Men at Sea") is one of Denmark's most recognisable modern monuments and the signature landmark of Esbjerg on the country's southwest coast. Designed by the artist Svend Wiig Hansen and unveiled on 28 October 1995, the work consists of four seated white male figures, each standing about 9 metres tall, gazing solemnly out across the sea. It was commissioned to mark the 100th anniversary of the Municipality of Esbjerg and funded jointly by the municipality, the Danish Arts Foundation (Statens Kunstfond) and a number of private sponsors. The stark, oversized figures are widely read as a meditation on humanity's encounter with nature and the unknown, and their pale forms stand in striking contrast to sky and water. Set on the shore at Sædding, just west of the city and opposite the Fisheries and Maritime Museum, the monument can even be seen from ships entering and leaving Esbjerg harbour; the artist had originally imagined placing it at Grenen, north of Skagen. Today it is one of West Jutland's most photographed sights. The site is open and free to visit at any time. Come at low tide, when you can walk right out across the exposed foreshore to stand beneath the towering figures, and time your visit for early morning or the golden hour to catch the sculptures glowing against the light — it makes for an unforgettable photograph.