Browse Collections

Bloomfield Blossoms: p. 136-137

Smith, Kay, 1925-

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Milles, Carl, 1875-1955

Cranbrook Academy of Art

NULL

GB01a070

part of 'Bloomfield Blossoms' by Kay Smith

text, image

jpeg

CARL MILLES' ORPHEUS FOUNTAIN Carl Milles has more than 70 pieces of sculpture on the grounds at Cranbrook today. Crowning Cranbrook is the beautiful work of eight spirits listening to the mystical heavenly music of Orpheus. The great statue of Orpheus himself is not in its place in the center of the fountain, but is Instead in Stockholm, Sweden, Carl Milles' birthplace. A miniature of Orpheus is in the Crafts Court. The eight bronze figures were done in 1936. All are originals, and only the statue with the uplifted fist is a recognizable figure, being that of Beethoven. "The eight figures in this fountain group are not symbolic, they are just people listening to music," Carl Milles stated. Michael Hall now heads the Cranbrook Academy Sculpture Department. Examples of his work, academy students' work and loan pieces can be seen throughout the grounds of Cranbrook--visual evidence of the fact that Cranbrook is continuing to be a leader in its creative endeavors, not content to rest on the laurels of its early years.