Vigeland Sculpture Park in Frogner Park, Oslo, Norway was a lot more than I expected. The sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland’s lifework and has more than 200 nude sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Vigeland not only made the sculptures, but he designed the layout of the park. Most of the sculptures are in 5 groupings ,the Main Gate, the Bridge with the Children’s Playground, the Fountain, the Monolith Plateau, and the Wheel of Life. The park was mainly completed between 1939 to 1949 and is the largest sculpture park made by a single artist in the world.
Before arriving there, I did think it would be a weird and unique sight to see, and that it was. There’s so much more to it though. After about one minute there, I didn’t even pay attention to the fact that the people were nude in the sculptures. I was too focused on the human emotions captured by Vigeland. I saw joy, grief, pride, compassion, love, and fear. The range of emotions was amazing and the sculptures also showed many stages of life, including death.
People enjoying the sculptures were as mesmerized as I. Some people were lying down and staring up at them, even if they were blocking the walkways. And others were walking around the sculptures taking photos, seeing all the different sides and angles.
Oslo residents enjoy Frogner Park for recreation too, because it’s beautiful and in a great setting.
Good art makes you think about it after your visit is over, and Vigeland did that for me. I’ve been disappointed at some popular ‘must see’ sights in my travels, but not Vigeland. This is well worth being one of Norway’s biggest tourist attractions
It’s open year round and free. I did not get to the Vigeland Museum so I have an excuse to go back!
