Carl Milles

Bukowskis, Stockholm, 2 June 2021, lot 700

Acquired from the above by the present owner

Maurice Pillard Verneuil, Carl Milles, Sculpteur Suédois, Paris, 1929, vol. II, pp. 100-101, another edition illustrated

Alfred Westholm, Milles: En Bok om Carl Milles Konst, Stockholm, 1950, no. 47, p. 56, illustrated

Henrik Cornell, Milles skönhetsvärld, Stockholm, 1957, no. 19, n.p., another edition illustrated

Henrik Cornell, Carl Milles: hans verk, Stockholm, 1963, pp. 68-70 and 254, another edition mentioned

Erik Näslund, Carl Milles - en biografi, Höganäs, 1991, p. 336, another edition mentioned

Exemplifying Carl Milles’ sculptural prowess, St. Paul on the Road to Damascus is an intricately rendered, narrative depiction of one of the Twelve Apostles. In the Bible, Acts 9:1-9, Saint Paul is blinded by a heavenly light and falls from his horse while on a journey from Jerusalem to Syrian Damascus, an event that catalyzes his conversion to Christianity. In the present work, Milles masterfully implies the ecstatic ray of light as it strikes the horse and figure from above, who recoil in blinded shock. The dramatic yet elegant curve of the horse’s neck mimics that of Saint Paul’s torso, and the narrow rock on which the horse precariously stands adds to the tension within the composition. 

This particular example of Milles’ work is notable for its remarkably dynamic composition and masterful bronze casting. While the present work was cast in 1949, the concept for St. Paul on the Road to Damascus was originally developed in 1926. Scholar Alfred Westholm presumes that Milles intended for the original design to be a larger public outdoor sculpture, but was never fully realized as such. Milles’ Folke Filbyter (1928) in Linköping, Sweden bears a similar composition to that of the present, and Westholm believes the design of the present work may have even been an early concept for Folke Filbyter that was later developed into St. Paul on the Road to Demascus as an independent sculpture. Milles’ extensive casting process, which consisted of producing two precursor models in clay and plaster before making the final bronze, is a testament to the artist’s meticulousness. This is further demonstrated by the intricate detailing across the surface of the work.

Milles is best known for his work on sculptural fountains in Sweden and the United States, and his design for St. Paul on the Road to Damascus is consistent with his typical style for these monumental public works in its theatricality and movement. Milles had a talent for sculpture and woodworking from a young age, quickly making a name for himself as an artist across Europe. Shortly after his admittance to the 1899 Paris Salon, Milles began studying under Auguste Rodin and continued his training in Paris until 1904. During his time spent in Paris, Milles frequented the Jardin des Plantes to sketch the many animal sculptures scattered around the garden. There, he developed a keen understanding of how to accurately portray bodies in motion. St. Paul on the Road to Damascus sees Milles’ remarkable craftsmanship realized and demonstrates his aptitude for executing complex compositions.

In addition to its exceptional quality and compelling composition, the present work is incredibly rare to market, having only appeared once before at auction in 2021. No other editions of this sculpture have appeared on the market in recent history, marking St. Paul on the Road to Damascus as an exceptionally unique example from the artist’s oeuvre.