Frogner Park and Vigeland statues

Entrance to Frogner Park in Oslo

The weather on Saturday was clear and sunny, so we made another trip into Oslo to visit Frogner Park and the Vigeland statues. Gustav Vigeland was a well-known Norwegian sculptor who made an arrangement with the city of Oslo. In exchange for a well-equipped studio and support from the state, he would create this beautiful sculpture garden. There are 192 bronze and granite sculptures here, made from 1924-1943. Vigeland planned the sculptures and executed them in plaster. Then he supervised his assistants as they sculpted the copper and granite. They are all nudes, and they portray different periods of life and different relationships. Many are very playful. 

Bridge lined with copper sculptures

The initial bridge is lined with copper sculptures. On the far side is a center fountain surrounded by more copper sculptures portraying stages of life.

I particularly loved this "flying girl" near the fountain.

The center of the park is the 50 foot monolith carved in granite. It is 121 human figures carved out of a single block of stone.

I especially enjoyed the sculpture groups that featured children. 

And this father/mother/infant sculpture was particularly touching.

After viewing the sculptures, we had time for a picnic lunch and playtime at the Frogner Park playground. It was just a wonderful fall day to be out (and lots of other families had the same idea!).