Wings, or Ganymede

Artist Carl Milles (Swedish, 1875-1955)

Place of OriginSweden

Dateabout 1908

DimensionsH: 45 in. (104.3 cm); L (base): 12 in. (30.5 cm); Depth (base): 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)

MediumBronze.

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineGift of Mary Willet Dunlap, through Maurice Dunlap

Object number

1933.318

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Sculpture Garden

Label TextSwedish-born Carl Milles thought of his sculpture as a bridge between Earth and the world beyond. For that reason, much of his work reflects themes from mythology—especially stories in which gods and humans interact. Wings suggests the Greek myth of Zeus and Ganymede. In the story, Zeus develops an affection for the beautiful young Trojan prince. Taking the form of an eagle, Zeus captures Ganymede and spirits him up to Mount Olympos, the home of the gods. This sculpture brings to mind the moment when Zeus first overtakes Ganymede, as the boy struggles against the great bird.Comparative ReferencesSee also Rogers, Meyric R., Carl Milles, New Haven, 1940, p. 64, checklist no. 29 (as Wings, 1908).