[NORWAY] Oslo - Vigeland Sculpture Park and Museum

14:59 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Vigeland Park consists of over 200 fascinating sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron by Norway's greatest sculptor, Gustav Vigeland. It is one of the most popular free tourist attractions in Oslo which opens 24/7 all year round.

The nearby Vigeland Museum which used to be his studio is often overlooked by park visitors which is a mistake. This year even more so as the museum play host to celebrate 150th birthday of Gustav Vigeland.


Getting to Vigeland Park:

1) By tram 12 to Vigelandsparken


2) By bus 20 to Vigelandsparken







Taking a stroll down the main boulevard which is lined with sculptures on both sides.



The sculptures consists of naked human figures in various positions and expressions.



Man Holding Little Boy in His Hands.



Man Throwing Woman Over His Head.



Dancing Young Woman.



The Fountain was initially intended for the Norway's Parliament while the monolith should have been installed at Oslo Central Station. But instead, the city instead decided to place the fountain and everything else in the open park outside Vigeland's studio.







The Fountain has 6 giants carrying a vessel at the centre and 20 trees with sculptures around the pool, each representing a different stage of human life, from childhood to death.



The Monolith is located on a high plateau. Passing one of the gates towards the Monolith.





The enormous 46 feet tall Monolith is carved out of one giant granite block.



It comprises of 121 human figures all fighting their way to the top.







Dotted around the Monolith are 36 groups of figures that represents cycles of life and relationships.



The sculptures are weird but interesting, to say the very least.



Next, I headed to the nearby Vigeland Museum, former studio of Vigeland.



Vigeland agreed to donate all his art to the municipality and in return, a studio was built for him.







To celebrate 150th birthday of Gustav Vigeland, the Anniversary exhibition displays a compilation of Vigeland's work together with the sculptor of Auguste Rodin, Aristide Mailoll, Constatin Meunier and Antoine Bourdelle.










In the permanent exhibition, Vigeland's important early works, famous monuments and plaster originals are displayed.









Keep in mind that the Vigeland Museum is closed on Mondays and only opens from 12pm to 4pm (Tuesday - Sunday).

The entrance fees is as below:
Adult - 80 NOK
Child (7-16) - 40 NOK
Senior / Student - 40 NOK
Groups without guide (>10) - 40 NOK
Child under 7 - Free
Oslo pass holder - Free
Elementary school groups with teacher - Free



Small scale model of the Fountain.









The plaster originals of the Fountain in 1:1 scale.















The plaster originals of the Monolith in 1:1 scale. It is divided into 3 sections in the museum.



Plaster cast of Angry Boy sculpture identical to the clay original which I missed in the park. During an excursion to London in 1901, Vigeland drew a quick sketch of an angry little boy. Ten years later, he used the sketch for a small sculpture. Around 1928, he made a larger version for the Vigeland Park.





A visit to the museum also help visitors to understand the process of making a sculpture. The sculptures are first modelled in clay with help of various modelling tools. Then the sculptures are cast in plaster. The original plaster form is the basis for later versions in bronze or stone.

In my opinion, both the Vigeland Park and Museum are not to be missed while in Oslo.


Vigeland Park
Opens all year round 24/7


Vigeland Museum
Opens from 12pm to 4pm (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed on Mondays.
https://vigeland.museum.no/en