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Flygarmonumentet

Flygarmonumentet, also known as the Aviator Monument, is a memorial in central Stockholm’s Karlaplan square. Created by the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles and installed in 1931 at the initiative of the Royal Swedish Aero Club, it honors Swedish aviators and pioneers of flight who died in North Pole expeditions between 1898 and 1917. The monument shows a large bronze eagle with spread wings, as if about to fly. It stands 1.85 meters high, with a wingspan of almost one meter. The base includes reliefs of Icarus, aviators, and early military aircraft, along with two information plaques. The monument was dismantled during construction of the Karlaplan metro station and returned to its original site in 1967.

Flygarmonumentet bird statue on a stone pedestal in a Stockholm square
Flygarmonumentet stands on a stone pedestal in Karlaplan, surrounded by benches, trees, and nearby buildings.
November 2016 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Flygarmonumentet showing a dark bird sculpture with outstretched wings atop a tiered stone pedestal.
Flygarmonumentet, with a bird sculpture rising above a tiered stone pedestal.
© · Public domain
Flygarmonumentet with a tall pedestal topped by an eagle sculpture, while eight airplanes fly overhead during a ceremonial gathering.
Flygarmonumentet during a ceremonial gathering, with a formation of aircraft passing overhead.
May 1941 © · Public domain
Relief detail of Flygarmonumentet showing a winged human figure in motion with outstretched arms and legs.
Detail of Flygarmonumentet, with a winged figure soaring across the stone relief.
2009 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Stone relief from Flygarmonumentet showing a hot air balloon and several propeller airplanes in flight.
Detail of Flygarmonumentet showing a weathered stone relief with a hot air balloon and several airplanes.
2009 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleFlygarmonumentet
English nameThe Aviator Monument
TypeMonument; sculpture

Historical context

CommemoratesSwedish aviation pioneers and aviators who died in North Pole expeditions and other early aviation expeditions between 1898 and 1917

Creator

ArtistCarl Milles
Artist nationalitySwedish
Commissioned byThe Royal Swedish Aero Club

Discovery and provenance

Construction period of base and pedestal1927–1931
Unveiled byPrince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland
Unveiled on15 May 1931
Installed1931
Gift fromthe Swedish Aeronautical Society

Location and ownership

LocationKarlaplan, central Stockholm, Sweden
CityStockholm
CountrySweden
SquareKarlaplan
Artist's political viewsCarl Milles did not deny his admiration for Adolf Hitler
Interpretation controversyThe monument has long been controversial; some interpreted it as reflecting Carl Milles's admiration for Nazism because the eagle resembles the Nazi symbol

Physical characteristics

Interior featureA shallow interior space containing an urn
ContainsAn urn holding the medals of all deceased Swedish pilots
WingspanAlmost 1 m
Informational plaquesTwo
Depth185 cm
Width750 cm
Depicted subjectA large eagle with outspread wings, preparing to take off
Height1.85 m

Materials

Base and pedestal materialPolished diabase
Information panels materialWhite marble

Appearance

Base reliefsIcarus, balloonists, and early military airplanes
Symbolic featureAn eagle with outstretched wings

Iconography and meaning

Artist's view of the symbolCarl Milles thought an eagle would be an excellent symbol
Later interpretationNow seen more as a tribute to all who died in the sky
Original purposeTo honor fallen pilots and aviation pioneers, including Salomon August Andrée, Elsa Andersson, Knut Frænkel, and Nils Strindberg

History and restoration

Artist letterIn a letter to his wife, Milles said he hoped Hitler would have enough health and strength to continue his "beautiful" work
Use in the 1940sYoung Swedish Nazis used the monument as a meeting and gathering place and celebrated Nazi holidays there
Protest activityYoung socialists covered the monument with graffiti in protest against Nazis
ThreatsThere were threats to burn the square
Use by the Swedish Air ForceUsed for wreath-laying ceremonies
Removal and reinstallationDismantled during construction of the Karlaplan metro station and re-erected in 1967

Significance

Artist quotation on interpretationMilles said universal agreement on what the monument symbolizes would never be achieved