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The Sculpture bridge at Vigelandsparken
Gustav Vigeland, a famous Norwegian sculptor, was born in Mandal in 1869. He showed great artistic talent at an early age and was apprenticed to a woodcarver from the age of 15.
Vigeland moved to Copenhagen in 1891 and studied amongst others, Thorvaldsens work. He went to Paris in 1893 where he met August Rodin. You will see Rodin's influence on Vigelands work as we walk through
Vigeland park. At the end of the 1890's back in Norway, Vigeland worked on the restoration of Nidarosdomen cathedral in Trondheim. Inspiration from this work can also be seen in the park.
Vigeland park has an
interesting history. In 1901 Gustav Vigeland made a fountain for Oslo. The fountain was so popular with the townspeople, that the city decided to buy it in 1904. Unfortunately they couldn't agree on a location for it.
The fountain was therefore put into storage until 1921 when Vigeland was offered a fantastic contract by the city council. They would supply him with a house and studio for life on condition everything he made
would become the property of the city.
Sponsors were also willing to finance much of Vigelands expenses. Money thus collected or donated enabled them to create this unique park.
In the park, Vigeland made
use of 3 different materials. All the gates are made of wrought iron, the figures in the central area are bronze, and those in the far end are carved from granite.
Now, lets look at some details. As we approach
the bridge from the main gates we see two pillars, one on each side. The figures on the top are clearly inspired by his years at Nidarosdomen.
On the left we see a monk fighting evil, in the shape of a monster,
but on the right Vigeland has placed a woman who is making no attempt to fight the monster. She is in fact, smiling.
Vigelands had many relationships with women which were often quite complicated. He was married
twice, and when he died at the age of 74 he was living with his housekeeper, who was only in her twenties.
On the left side of the bridge the theme is mother and child. Anxious mother, proud mother, quarrel
between mother and child etc. On the right Vigeland shows us fathers and offspring. Centrally placed on the bridge we see Vigelands main theme: Life as a circle, without beginning or end. Small angry children stand on
either side. A little girl bottling up her anger, and a little boy having a tantrum. He is the publics favourite nicknamed "Sinnataggen" (furious), and was modeled in London.
Down by the lake he has
placed 8 small children in a group around a fetus.
Continue at the fountain. |
