Salomon August Andrébysten (The Andrée Bust)

Subject: Salomon August Andrée
Artist: Jonas Fröding
Creation/unveiling: 4 July 1937
Location: Gränna (next to Brahegatan street)
Medium: Sculpture in bronze
Base: Granite

Salomon August Andrée, the famous balloonist, was born in 1854 in the house that stands opposite the bust, at 37 Brahegatan in Gränna. The bust, which is made of bronze was created by the sculptor Jonas Fröding. It stands on a tall granite base, on which Andrée’s name is engraved.

The bust was unveiled on 4 July 1937 during a formal ceremony held as part of a day of celebration of local heritage. In erecting the bust, the town of Gränna wanted to honour the memory of Andrée’s Arctic balloon expedition and its leader. As part of his speech at the unveiling, County Governor Felix Hamrin stated:

‘This memorial is intended to serve as a reminder to present and future generations … of the man of indomitable will who sacrificed his life for an idea.’