Archives of American Art

Carl and Olga Milles papers

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.millecar
Creators:
Milles, Carl, 1875-1955
Milles, Olga Granner, 1874-1967
Dates:
1933-1951
Languages:
Granner family letters are in German. Letters from Rutenskold and Carl and Olga Milles are in Swedish.
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
(on a partial microfilm reel)
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Letters received by Olga Milles, primarily from her family, the Granners, in Graz, Steiermark, Austria (1933-1951). Other correspondents include Kurt Messner (from prisoner of war camp), his father Adolf Messner (1944-1946), Carl Milles (1944-1951), his sister Ruth Milles (1940), and Signe Rutenskold (1944-1946). Three letters were written to Carl by Olga (1939). Other materials consist of a one-page essay on "Youth" by Frank Crane and 3 photographs, of Benito Mussolini (1936), relatives (1950), and a work of art.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Carl Milles was a sculptor. His wife, Olga, was also an artist. Milles was born in Lagga, Sweden, the son of Major Emil ("Mille") Andersson. He derived his name from the inversion of his father's nickname "Milles (Mille's) Carl". He was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker and studied for 3 years at the Technical School in Stockholm, during which time he befriended sculptor John Borjeson. Between 1897 and 1900, Milles studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. While in Paris, he met artist Olga Granner, whom he married in 1905. In 1902, Milles gained recognition in Sweden with his design for the Sten Sture monument. Milles also studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and became a citizen of the United States in 1945.

Administration

Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reel 4314 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The donor, Margueritte E. Kimball, was charged with clearing out and photographing the Milles' house and studio at Cranbrook in the early 1950s.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Educators Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sculptors Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mussolini, Benito, 1883-1945 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Milles, Ruth Anna Maria, 1873-1941 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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