Sun Singer at Sunset
We were treated to a gorgeous sunset at the Robert Allerton Park - an unusual oasis in central Illinois.
Artist and philanthropist Robert Allerton built a private estate along the Sangamon River in 1900. Modeled after some of the great estates in Europe, in addition to a mansion, it has several formal gardens, pristine, old growth woods with miles of hiking trails, and over one hundred pieces of art, including some impressive sculpture, scattered around its 1500+ acres - amongst them, this imposing giant bronze figure of the Sun Singer.
Carl Milles was the swedish sculptor that created the original Sun Singer for the harbor in front of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. It is a representation of Phoebus Apollo, Greek god of light, prophecy, poetry, music, and healing.
Allerton saw this sculpture and asked Milles to create a smaller replica similar to the one in Milles' garden. Milles' replica had no hands nor head, and Allerton asked to "send a copy of Sun Singer like this but I'd like it with the head and arms as it is down at the harbor."
When a huge crate arrived at the estate, Allerton thought it must be very well packed. But as they opened the crate, it became apparent that Milles had not created a small verison like the one in his garden, but had replicated the size of the colossus in the Stockholm harbor! A bronze figure over 13 feet (4 meters) tall!
Allerton had a space created worthy of this astounding sculpture, and the Sun Singer circle with a three tiered dias was born, with Apollo facing to the east, and the rising sun.
Sun Singer at Sunset
We were treated to a gorgeous sunset at the Robert Allerton Park - an unusual oasis in central Illinois.
Artist and philanthropist Robert Allerton built a private estate along the Sangamon River in 1900. Modeled after some of the great estates in Europe, in addition to a mansion, it has several formal gardens, pristine, old growth woods with miles of hiking trails, and over one hundred pieces of art, including some impressive sculpture, scattered around its 1500+ acres - amongst them, this imposing giant bronze figure of the Sun Singer.
Carl Milles was the swedish sculptor that created the original Sun Singer for the harbor in front of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. It is a representation of Phoebus Apollo, Greek god of light, prophecy, poetry, music, and healing.
Allerton saw this sculpture and asked Milles to create a smaller replica similar to the one in Milles' garden. Milles' replica had no hands nor head, and Allerton asked to "send a copy of Sun Singer like this but I'd like it with the head and arms as it is down at the harbor."
When a huge crate arrived at the estate, Allerton thought it must be very well packed. But as they opened the crate, it became apparent that Milles had not created a small verison like the one in his garden, but had replicated the size of the colossus in the Stockholm harbor! A bronze figure over 13 feet (4 meters) tall!
Allerton had a space created worthy of this astounding sculpture, and the Sun Singer circle with a three tiered dias was born, with Apollo facing to the east, and the rising sun.