MILLESGÅRDEN

Description

Essentials about the Millesgården in brief

The Millesgården is an extraordinary art museum with a sculpture park on the island of Lidingö in the north of Stockholm. The museum was founded by the Swedish artist couple Olga and Carl Milles. With its impressive combination of art, architecture and nature, the Millesgården offers a unique experience not only for art fans.

The history of the Millesgården

In 1906, the artist couple Carl and Olga Milles bought a plot of land on Herserudsklippan on the island of Lidingö and had their house and associated art studios built there according to plans by the architect Karl Bengtsson. The complex was inaugurated in 1908. In the 1920s, the property was extended through purchases. After the Milles moved to the USA in the early 1930s, the Millesgården was converted into a foundation and donated to the Swedish people.

The large sculpture park at the Millesgården was created as part of the Milles’ return from the USA in 1950. Carl Milles placed monumental replicas of freestanding sculptures from the USA and Sweden in the park. After his death in 1955, Milles was buried in the small Skogskapellet forest chapel on the grounds. Olga Milles also found her final resting place here after her death in 1967. In 1999, the art gallery, the newest building on the Millesgården site, was opened. The architect of the hall was Johan Celsing.

The house of the Milles family

The house of Carl and Olga Milles is a masterpiece of architecture and offers an insight into the life and work of the artist couple. The house is built in the Swedish National Romanticism style and consists of several buildings grouped around an inner courtyard. The interiors are furnished with ornate furniture and decorations.

The sculpture park

The Millesgården sculpture park is one of the largest and most important in Sweden. It is home to over 200 of Carl Milles’ expressive sculptures, ranging from mythological figures to contemporary themes. These include some of his most famous works such as “The Water Bearer”, “The Dance of the Hours” and “The Genius of Freedom”. The sculptures are freely distributed throughout the park and some offer a breathtaking view of the Stockholm archipelago.

The forst chapel

The forst chapel is a small chapel that was built in the late 1940s. It houses the graves of Carl and Olga Milles. The chapel is a place of peace and contemplation and offers a beautiful view of the sculpture park.

The art gallery

Changing exhibitions by Swedish and international artists are shown in the art gallery. The entrance to the Millesgården and a small museum store are also located here.