Carl Eldh (Östhammar, 1873 – Stockholm, 1954) was a Swedish sculptor who, alongside Carl Milles, ranks among the most popular Swedish sculptors of the first half of the 20th century. His work links realism with the European sculptural tradition and left a notable body of public sculpture in Stockholm.
The son of a blacksmith, he studied at the Académie Colarossi in Paris from 1897 to 1904, where the work of Auguste Rodin made a strong impression on him. His early pieces have softer forms, but by 1916 he had developed a powerful realistic style, seen in the Strindberg Monument in Tegnérlunden. August Strindberg was a recurring subject in his output.
Eldh also produced architectural sculpture with leading Swedish architects such as Ivar Tengbom, Erik Lallerstedt and Ragnar Östberg. Östberg designed Eldh's own studio in Bellevue Park, and through him Eldh received the 1923 commission for the park sculptures of the Stadshuspark beside Stockholm City Hall. The ensemble honours Strindberg, Gustaf Fröding and Ernst Josephson, and includes the bronze sculptures "Sången" and "Dansen" ("The Song" and "The Dance"). The nakedness of the figures initially provoked strong protests.
Among his major public works are the large statue of Strindberg in Stockholm and the Branting Monument, first modelled in plaster around 1930 and completed in 1952. His work was also part of the sculpture entries in the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
His former Bellevue studio is now the public Carl Eldh Ateljémuseum, with two studio rooms filled from floor to ceiling with drawings, sculptures, tools and personal belongings, offering insight into both his work and his era.