11 April 2019 - Gustav Vigeland 150 Years

The 214 sculptures in the Frogner Park in Oslo have made Gustav Vigeland our most famous sculptor.

Gustav Vigeland’s talent for both drawing and wood carving was discovered early. Vigeland’s oldest works still in existence are an acanthus pattern and dragon heads that he carved when he was between ten and twelve years old. 

2002
NK 2002

In the autumn of 1888, Gustav Vigeland travelled to Kristiania and tried to live as a wood carver. This was not an easy life. One morning, after he had slept outdoors, he turned to sculptor Brynjulf Bergslien for help. Bergslien was impressed by Vigeland’s drawings and contacted art historian Lorentz Dietrichson. Dietrichson paid for schooling for both Vigeland and several other artists. Bergslien taught Vigeland as well. 

2003
NK 2003