Bronzed Controversy: Folke Filbyter's Skeletal Horse at Linköping's Edge

Boldly placed near the town square of Linköping, Sweden, Folkungabrunnen was sculpted in 1927 by the renowned artist Carl Milles. The fountain, featuring a rectangular basin decorated with historical relief subjects from Östergötland, holds a striking centerpiece: an equestrian bronze statue of Folke Filbyter on his horse. The statue's unique design, with a noticeably skinny horse, initially stirred controversy in a region known for its exceptional horse breeding. However, over the years, the statue, along with the entire fountain, has been embraced by the city and now stands as a cherished symbol of Linköping. In 2023, the fountain underwent renovation, gearing up for its centennial in 2027. A reproduction of the Folke Filbyter statue can also be found at Millesgården in Stockholm.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons