Paul Granlund (1925-2003). Three bronze plaques. Provenance: Directly from the artist; Private collection, Arizona. Biography: Paul Granlund was born in 1923 in Minneapolis. His father was a Lutheran pastor, who instilled in him the background in religion which would provide a major inspiration for his work throughout his life. After high school, Granlund served in World War II, an experience which deeply affected him, strengthening his interest in understanding and conveying the human experience in all its facets. Following the war, Granlund went to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He graduated with his BA in 1952, then, after some graduate work at the University of Minnesota, moved to Michigan to continue his education at Cranbrook Academy of Art, from which he graduated with his MFA in 1954. He received the Fulbright scholarship to study sculpture in Italy, and on this trip and a subsequent period of study as a Guggenheim Fellow in Rome, he was exposed to important works of traditional sculpture as well as new sculptural techniques. After studying in Italy, Granlund returned to Minnesota, and was a faculty member at the Minnesota College of Art and Design throughout the 1960s. He returned to Gustavus Adolphus as sculptor in residence in 1971, a title he kept until 1996, when he retired, although he kept a studio at Gustavus Adolphus until his death in 2003. His art adorns much of the campus there, often demonstrating his adeptness at using sculpture as a method of Biblical interpretation. During his long career, Granlund taught and exhibited throughout the United States, as well as creating many important pieces of public art, including the Vietnam War Memorial at the Minnesota Governor’s Mansion. His dedication to creating all parts of the sculpture himself, including casting his own bronze, made him unique among sculptors, as did his versatility, with his sculptures ranging from traditional-seeming figural works to mind-bending abstract pieces. The three plaques in this lot were experimental sculptures that Paul Granlund gifted to the consignor. The bronze relief plaques each feature a robed figure done with minimal detail in a beautiful cubist style. Each plaque is slightly different in patina and design. The plaques were possibly conceived for architectural purposes with brackets along the top and bottom edges. Condition Good condition