The artistic Swedish couple of Carl and Olga Milles lived and worked on Stockholm’s Lidingö Island in the 1910s and 1920s. Visit the cliffside park and art museum that have been constructed at the site of their home. See where they worked, enjoy studying some of their creations and view work by other Swedish artists.
Begin in the Artist’s Home. Look for Carl Milles’ most famous sculptures in the Red Room. The Sunglitter is his work depicting a nymph riding a dolphin. In the Monk Cell you can see the monastic studio where Olga Mills created her portraits. In the Music Room you’ll find a statue by Donatello and wood carvings of German and Austrian origination.
Go outside to enjoy the terraced garden with many more sculptures as well as fountains and pools. On the Upper Terrace look for The Dancing Girls and The Little Triton sculpted by Carl Milles. Find the separate garden area known as Little Austria, a surprise gift for Olga filled with Nordic and Alpine flora. Stroll down to the Lower Terrace to find Europe and the Bull, a depiction of Zeus, father of the Greek gods. Then look outward at the views of beautiful Stockholm.
The museum has regular temporary exhibitions. One prior example featured Monet and Renoir in a study of the Painters in Normandy. Check the museum website for current details.
The drive to Millesgården from Stockholm’s city centre takes about 15 minutes, but parking is limited. A better option is taking a bus to Torsviks Torg and then making the short walk to the museum. The site is open from Tuesdays through Sundays in winter, except Christmas Eve and Day, and daily in summer. Visitors under 19 may enter for free. Join a guided tour in July pay extra for an English guide. Find additional details on the museum’s website.
