Carl Milles

France was the leading nation in sculpture during the second half of the 19th century and Auguste Rodin was the most renowned. A young Milles received an opportunity to work in Paris with the great Rodin, who soon became his mentor and influenced him greatly. In a letter to Erik Hedén Milles wrote, "To me Rodin is a sculptor in the full meaning of the word and is a great one at that." In the present lot (catalog no. 153), which is both unique and rare, one can see how he strived for a more unrestricted shape and was influenced by his teacher's style. The finish of his work from this period is more impressionistic.