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The Branting Monument

The Branting Monument is a bronze relief monument in Stockholm, Sweden, created by artist Carl Eldh. It stands in a small park at Norra Bantorget, the city’s traditional Social Democratic grounds. The monument is 5 meters tall and 6 meters wide and depicts Hjalmar Branting addressing a group of workers during a May Day demonstration. Several early figures from the workers’ movement, including Axel Danielsson and August Palm, appear among the crowd. Eldh began work on the monument in 1926, and it was erected in 1952. After being damaged by a bomb in 1992, it was restored two years later by Herman Bergmans konstgjuteri AB.

The Branting Monument in bronze, showing a central figure with a raised arm addressing a crowd of men, women, and children.
The Branting Monument features a central speaker surrounded by a crowd of figures and decorative banners.
© · Public domain
The Branting Monument in a snowy square, showing a bronze figure addressing a crowd with raised arm and draped flag-like forms behind.
The Branting Monument in Stockholm, depicting Hjalmar Branting addressing a gathered crowd.
© · Public domain
The Branting Monument shows a bronze figure addressing a crowd of workers with banners, with people gathered in front and the Aftonbladet building behind.
The Branting Monument in a black-and-white photograph, with a crowd gathered in front of the bronze relief and the Aftonbladet building in the background.
June 1952 © Kjellström, John · Public domain
Bronze relief on the Branting Monument showing a bearded man in a suit, a mustached man, and a woman in a crowd.
Detail of the Branting Monument’s bronze relief with several figures in profile and crowd scenes.
June 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Weathered bronze relief on the Branting Monument showing a crowd of figures, including men with beards and a woman in a headscarf.
Detail of the Branting Monument showing a weathered bronze relief with several figures in the crowd.
© · Public domain

Identification

TitleThe Branting Monument
Alternative titleBrantingmonumentet
TypeMonument

Historical context

SubjectHjalmar Branting and the labor movement
Honoree's rolesChairman of the Social Democratic Party, Prime Minister of Sweden, and 1921 Nobel Peace Prize laureate
DedicationHjalmar Branting

Creator

SculptorCarl Eldh

Discovery and provenance

Casting entrusted toHerman Bergman Konstgjuteri
Casting commissioned1947
Production historyThe work took decades to complete; the final model was completed in 1942, further work was halted by World War II, and the model was later sawn into pieces
Fundraising began1935, on the tenth anniversary of Branting's death
Project started1926, one year after Branting's death
Initiated byMembers of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden
Original foundryHerman Bergmans konstgjuteri AB

Materials

Primary materialBronze
Model materialPlaster
Pedestal materialRed granite

Physical characteristics

Dimensions6.4 meters high, 3.5 meters long
Pedestal height60 centimeters
CompositionStatue with bronze reliefs

Appearance

Back side structureDivided into three vertical bands
Back right motifA water wheel
Back left motifA wheat sheaf under the sun, with swallows flying around it
Back center motifA huge bonfire symbolizing the flame lit by Branting
Figures depictedA large crowd of people of all ages, including workers; August Palm and Axel Danielsson appear among the Social Democratic pioneers
Background detailsMen carrying banners, with factory chimneys and a row of spruces in the background
Branting poseStanding almost on a separate plinth, right hand raised in a clenched fist, left hand holding papers
Front sceneHjalmar Branting speaking to workers at a May Day demonstration
Small figureA small fairy with flowers near Branting's left foot, symbolizing awakening spring

Iconography and meaning

Inscription on left sideBy Carl Eld: "Swedish Social Democracy dedicated this memorial to its leader Hjalmar Branting. His life was devoted to the Swedish workers."
Inscription on right sideBy Pär Lagerkvist: "He awakened the dormant force of the people and led the struggle for freedom and justice. The future is hidden in his works."

Location and ownership

LocationNorra Bantorget Park, central Stockholm, Sweden
SettingA small park in Stockholm, in the city's traditional Social Democratic grounds
Planned locationThe center of a park that had long been a meeting place for Social Democrats
Current city and countryStockholm, Sweden

History and restoration

Related vandalism campaignThe fourth of five statue bombings in Stockholm, spanning 25 February to 8 June 1992
Restoration fundingShared by the City of Stockholm and the Stockholm section of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation
Restoration cost320,000 Swedish kronor
RestorationRestored in 1994 by Herman Bergmans konstgjuteri AB
Damage date17 May 1992
Attack motiveFor fun
AttackersSeven young people who confessed to vandalism
DamagePartly damaged by a small bomb explosion that blew a hole in Branting's body
Unveiled2 June 1952 at an official ceremony

Significance

Commemorated personKarl Hjalmar Branting
Associated peopleCarl Eldh; Pär Lagerkvist; Hjalmar Branting

Other

Photographs/captions mentionedFront view; detail of Branting in the center; rear view; detail of the wheat sheaf with swallows; inscription by Eld; water wheel; inscription by Lagerkvist