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God our Father on the Rainbow

God our Father on the Rainbow is a sculpture in Nacka, Sweden, located directly by the Nacka Strand ferry pier south of the shipping route from the Baltic Sea to Stockholm. Created in 1995 by the US sculptor Marshall Fredericks, it was based on plans by the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. The work is 23 meters high and features a parabolic arch about 18 meters tall, with water flowing from its seaward end as a continuation of the curve. The arch represents the vault of heaven. God stands at the top, while an angel at the foot of the arch offers him stars to place in the firmament. Carl Milles originally sketched the idea in 1946 as a peace symbol for the United Nations, but it was never realized at the time.

God our Father on the Rainbow sculpture with water arcing into the bay beside a rocky shoreline
God our Father on the Rainbow rises above the water as a fountain arc curves into the bay.
August 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
God our Father on the Rainbow sculpture with a water jet arcing from the raised figure into the bay.
God our Father on the Rainbow seen beside the waterfront, with water arcing from the sculpture into the bay.
July 2024 © · CC BY 4.0
God our Father on the Rainbow sculpture rising from the water, with a sailboat nearby and islands in the distance.
God our Father on the Rainbow stands above the water as a sailboat passes nearby.
2008 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Silhouetted figure atop the God, Our Father on the Rainbow fountain with water cascading down the arch.
The God, Our Father on the Rainbow fountain is shown in dramatic backlight with the figure silhouetted against the sky.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The God our Father on the Rainbow sculpture beside a white cruise ship passing on the water.
The God our Father on the Rainbow sculpture at Nacka Strand, with a cruise ship passing nearby.
July 2021 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleGud Fader på himmelsbågen
Alternative title translationGott der Vater auf dem Himmelsbogen
TypeFountain sculpture
English titleGod the Father on the Celestial Arc

Historical context

Original sketch circumstancesDrawn on stationery at The Plaza hotel in New York during the establishment of the United Nations
Original project statusNot realized during Carl Milles's lifetime
Original intended locationA site between the East River and the UN headquarters in New York
Original sketch year1946
Original proposed titleThe Rainbow. Lord placing new stars on heaven
Original conceptA symbol of peace and a tribute to the founding of the United Nations

Creator

ArtistMarshall Fredericks
Artist nationalityAmerican
Artist lifespan1908–1998
Based on design byCarl Milles
Designer of sketchCarl Milles (1875–1955)
Relationship between artistsMarshall Fredericks was a student and longtime collaborator of Carl Milles

Discovery and provenance

Time gap noteCreated 40 years after Carl Milles's death
CompletionCompleted in 1995 by Marshall M. Fredericks
Current sculpture year1995
Location of sketchMillesgården

Physical characteristics

Current total height23 meters
Arch heightAbout 18 meters
Arch shapeParabolic
CompositionOnly half of an arc is shown; water from an opening completes it into a full parabola-like arch

Materials

Water featureWater flows from the seaward end of the arch in continuation of the parabola

Appearance

Figure at base of archAn angel
Figure on top of archGod the Lord
Style featureUnusual composition

Iconography and meaning

SubjectGod the Father at the beginning of creation hanging stars in the sky
Depicted actionGod standing on top of the arc and hanging stars in the sky
Symbolism of archRepresents the dome of the sky
Angel actionThe angel reaches stars to the Lord, who wants to place them in the firmament

Location and ownership

LocationNacka Strand brygga ship quay, Nacka, Sweden
Specific siteImmediately at the ship quay, south of the shipping route from the Baltic Sea into Stockholm
Original intended location descriptionA suburb of Stockholm

Significance

Symbolic statusThe fountain almost immediately became a symbol of the city
Geographic reputationWell known in Western Europe and Sweden