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Ivar Johnsson, The King Riding on his Progress

Ivar Johnsson
The King Riding on his Progress

Ivar Johnsson (Swedish 1885–1970) worked in an expressive, classical style reminiscent of Carl Milles. When teaching at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts he started the very first classes on the properties of different materials for sculpting. Johnson studied in Paris in 1911-12. Back in Sweden he collaborated successfully with several well-known architects of the time. This made Johnson a sought after artist in commissions for public places, such as the facade sculptures for the Royal Institute of Technology and the reliefs decorating the entrance hall of the Stockholm City Library.

The King Riding on his Progress (granite 1942–1945) was commissioned for Marabou Park by Marabou and has its origin in the chronicle of King Eric and the classical equestrian monument. However, this is no warrior king but rather a Prince of Peace with his hand reaching out in an inviting gesture to greet his people. The sculpture was unveiled during a ceremony in the park in 1945 to celebrate the end of the Second World War.