Vigeland, Adolf Gustav

Born Apr. 11, 1869, in Mandal; died Mar. 12, 1943, in Oslo. Norwegian sculptor.

Vigeland studied in Oslo and Copenhagen. In his early period he was influenced by A. Rodin (the relief Hell, bronze, 1893, National Gallery, Oslo). He produced pro-found psychological portraits (H. Ibsen, marble, 1903, National Gallery, Oslo), monuments (to the mathematician N. Abel, bronze, 1908; to the writer C. Collett, bronze, 1911; and to the composer R. Nordraak, bronze, 1911—all in Oslo). He created the immense ensemble Frogner Park in Oslo (1900-43), whose sculptures symbolically represent the cycle of human life. Vigeland’s contradictory artistic method is most clearly expressed in this ensemble (approximately 150 figures); along with realistic images there are many works characterized by coarse naturalism and eroticism. The Vigeland Museum (formerly Vigeland’s studio) is next to the park.