Konen med æggene (The Woman with the Eggs), Randers

A bronze storyteller in the heart of Randers

Konen med æggene stands tall on Erik Menveds Plads, a life-sized yet elevated bronze figure rising to around 2.5 metres. Cast in warm, dark metal that catches the shifting Scandinavian light, the statue depicts a woman holding or balancing a basket of eggs, frozen in a moment of quiet concentration. She is both everyday market seller and symbolic figure, anchoring the square with a sense of continuity between the past and the present. Placed directly in the pedestrian space rather than on a fenced-off plinth, the sculpture feels accessible and woven into city life. People pass close by on their way to shops and cafés, and the statue doubles as a convenient meeting point. The simple outlines and sturdy posture mean you can read the form clearly from a distance, then discover finer details as you move closer around it.

From market square to modern city backdrop

Erik Menveds Plads was once a lively marketplace where farmers brought eggs, butter and other produce into Randers. The sculpture commemorates that trade in a single, instantly recognisable motif. Standing here, it is easy to imagine baskets, barrows and voices filling the square, even though today the surroundings are dominated by shopfronts, offices and the nearby Helligåndshuset. Konen med æggene was unveiled in 1958, donated by local organisations as a gift to the city. Its presence marks a moment when Randers consciously chose to celebrate its commercial and agricultural heritage. The bronze has since mellowed with time, acquiring a patina that reinforces the sense of age, even as the city around it continues to evolve.

Ane Brügger’s first major sculpture

The artist behind the work, Ane Brügger, originally trained as a painter before turning to sculpture. Konen med æggene was her first major three-dimensional piece, and it reveals a clear, confident style. The figure is characterised by an almost symmetrical simplification of forms: broad surfaces, calm lines and a strong vertical silhouette create a feeling of solidity and balance. This pared-back approach focuses attention on posture rather than facial expression. The woman’s slightly forward-leaning stance, the quiet tension around the basket and the weighty fall of her clothes all suggest motion held in check. Even without elaborate detail, you sense both her determination and the fragility of the eggs she carries.

Folktale morals and Hans Christian Andersen

The title of the sculpture refers directly to Hans Christian Andersen’s poem "Konen med Æggene", itself echoing an older European folk tale. In the story, an egg seller daydreams about the fortune she will make and how she will spend it, only to lose everything when the eggs are dropped. The message warns against overconfidence and counting on success before it is secure. By borrowing this title, the statue adds a literary and moral layer to what might otherwise be a simple market scene. Standing beneath the figure, you can reflect on how easily plans can be shattered, and how a humble trade can carry universal themes about hope, risk and disappointment. The work quietly embodies that lesson without any inscription needed.

A living symbol in local traditions

Over the decades, the statue has become more than a static artwork. It serves as a familiar landmark in everyday routines and has played a role in local customs, from student celebrations to informal gatherings on the square. Its location close to Helligåndshuset and other historical buildings strengthens its role as a touchstone for the city’s identity. Because the statue is fully accessible, visitors can walk all the way around it, notice the changing proportions from different angles and see how it interacts with the architecture framing the square. In the early morning or late afternoon, the shadows lengthen and the figure’s outline becomes especially striking against the paving stones and façades.

Experiencing the statue up close

A visit here is typically unhurried. You might spend time studying the surface of the bronze, tracing the simplified folds of clothing and the rounded shapes of the eggs. The square’s open layout allows you to step back and photograph the statue against the surrounding buildings, or move in close to frame only the hands and basket. There is no entrance fee or barrier, so it is easy to combine this stop with a wider exploration of Randers’ centre. Whether you are interested in public art, Danish cultural history or simply enjoy spotting distinctive city details, Konen med æggene offers a compact but resonant encounter with the stories that have shaped this market town.