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Orpheus’ Well

Orpheus’ Well, also known as Orpheusgruppen or Orfeusbrunnen, is a fountain with an elaborate sculptural group in Stockholm, Sweden. It is located in the northeastern part of Hötorget, by the steps of the Concert Hall. The work was designed by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles and completed in 1936. It was unveiled by the artist himself. The figures were cast by Herman Bergmans Konstgjuteri, as were many of Milles’ other works. At the center of the fountain stands Orpheus playing the lyre, rising above eight other figures moving to the rhythm of divine music.

Orpheus Fountain in front of Stockholm Concert Hall, with a bronze figure playing an instrument and smaller statues around the basin.
The Orpheus Fountain stands before Stockholm Concert Hall, with bronze figures gathered around the basin.
August 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Orpheus Fountain with a bronze male figure reaching upward, surrounded by smaller statues on the steps of a monumental building.
The Orpheus Fountain stands on the steps outside Stockholm’s Concert House, with visitors gathered around the bronze sculpture.
1965 © · CC BY 2.0
Orpheus Fountain with greenish-bronze nude statues in a city square.
Orpheus Fountain by Carl Milles in a paved city square, with market stalls and buildings in the background.
© · CC BY-SA 2.0
Close-up of the Orpheus Fountain bronze statue with a pigeon perched on its raised hand.
Close-up of the Orpheus Fountain sculpture, showing a bronze figure with a pigeon perched on one raised hand.
2008 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Orpheus Fountain bronze statue is partially visible above market stalls in Stockholm.
The Orpheus Fountain rises above market stalls, with a blue building and columns behind it.
October 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleOrfeusgruppen
TypeFountain with an elaborate sculptural group
Source title languageSwedish
Alternative namesOrfeusbrunnen; Orfeus-Gruppe; Orpheus' well; "Musiken" ("Music")

Historical context

Pedestal descriptionThe pedestal was mockingly said to resemble a bunch of bananas or an artichoke
Approval date1935
Approval marginOne-vote majority; the decisive vote was cast accidentally for Milles
Initial designA lone, extremely slender youth of colossal size standing on a pedestal
Development historyThe sculpture had a long and problematic history and the final result differed significantly from the proposal submitted in 1925
Competition year1925

Creator

Designer / artistCarl Milles
Designer nationalitySwedish
Architect of concert hallIvar Tengbom

Discovery and provenance

Competition resultMilles' proposal was chosen by the prize jury
UnveilingUnveiled by the artist himself
FoundryHerman Bergmans Konstgjuteri

Physical characteristics

Specific figure detailOne male figure raises his hands desperately toward the sky
Portrait featureThe desperate male figure has the facial features of Beethoven
Central figureOrpheus playing the lyre
CompositionOrpheus rises above eight other figures moving in rhythm to divine music
Surrounding figuresEight male and female figures

Iconography and meaning

ThemeDivine music
Depicted figureOrpheus
Mythological contextOrpheus was the most famous singer in Greek mythology
InterpretationOrpheus represents the art of music
InterpretationThe nine figures were interpreted as a sculptural counterpart to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
Beethoven symbolismFor Milles, Beethoven symbolized the great, suffering genius of the artist, which he himself wanted to be

Location and ownership

Current locationNortheastern part of Hötorget, by the stairs of the Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden
Intended locationThe new Stockholm Concert Hall (Konserthuset), Stockholm, Sweden
Architectural integrationMilles worked carefully to adapt the Orpheus group architecturally to the concert hall behind it

History and restoration

Artist's reactionMilles was very delighted by the Beethoven interpretation
CollaborationTengbom and Milles later had several joint projects