Carl Milles
1875-1955

Born in Uppsala, Sweden, Carl Milles, whose original surname was Anderson, was a sculptor in the classical style of figures and monuments and was a long-time professor of sculpture at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Many of his works are in that museum.

He first studied sculpture at the Technical School in Stockholm, and then attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris and worked in Rodin’s sculpture atelier. Before coming to America in 1929, he was “recognized as Sweden’s leading sculptor” and was also a professor of modeling at the Royal Academy of Stockholm. However, his unique, flamboyant style offended many persons, which led to his emigration.

In 1945, he became a United States citizen. He did over a hundred public works, mostly in bronze and received many honors including the French Legion of Honor and many honorary doctorates from American and European universities. One of his pieces, Man and Nature, was installed in 1937 in New York City at One Rockefeller Center in the main lobby on the west wall.