Victor Westerholm was the first curator of Turku Art Museum and the director of the Turku Drawing School, where Wäinö Aaltonen studied painting from 1910 to 1915. In 1927, Aaltonen created a portrait herm of his teacher, who played an important role in the history of the school. The sculpture was placed in front of Turku Art Museum.

The word ‘herm’ originates from Hermes, the messenger of the gods in ancient mythology. Westerholm can be regarded as a messenger of art during the early development of the Turku Drawing School and Finnish art education.

A portrait herm is a sculpture consisting of a pillar ending in a bust or head.