21 Facts About Gustav Vigeland

Gustav Vigeland, born as Adolf Gustav Thorsen, was a Norwegian sculptor.

Gustav Vigeland occupies a special position among Norwegian sculptors, both in the power of his creative imagination and in his productivity.

Gustav Vigeland is most associated with the Vigeland installation in Frogner Park, Oslo.

Gustav Vigeland was the designer of the Nobel Peace Prize medal.

Adolf Gustav Thorsen was born to a family of craftsmen, just outside Halse og Harkmark, a former municipality in Mandal.

Gustav Vigeland had three brothers, of whom Emanuel Vigeland became a noted artist.

Gustav Vigeland returned to Oslo in 1888, this time determined to become a professional sculptor.

Gustav Vigeland came to the attention of sculptor Brynjulf Bergslien, who supported him and gave him practical training.

Gustav Vigeland spent the years 1891 to 1896 in several voyages abroad, including Copenhagen, Paris, Berlin and Florence.

Gustav Vigeland held his first personal exhibitions in Norway in 1894 and 1896, which received notable critical praise.

Until 1902 Gustav Vigeland was engaged in the restoration of the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

Gustav Vigeland, considered the most talented Norwegian sculptor, received numerous commissions for statues and busts celebrating renowned compatriots like Henrik Ibsen and Niels Henrik Abel.

In 1906 Gustav Vigeland proposed a chalk model for a monumental fountain.

Gustav Vigeland's work was generally welcomed, but the location created a dispute: completion of the work was postponed by the dispute.

Gustav Vigeland is most widely known for the Vigeland installation, a permanent sculpture installation in Frogner Park in Oslo.

In 1921 the City of Oslo decided to demolish the house where Gustav Vigeland lived and build a library.

Gustav Vigeland moved to his new studio on Nobels gate in the borough of Frogner during 1924.

Gustav Vigeland's studio was located in the vicinity of Frogner Park, which he had chosen as the definitive location for his fountain.

Gustav Vigeland lived and worked at his studio on Nobels gate until his death in 1943.

Gustav Vigeland's ashes are still preserved there in the belfry of the building.

Gustav Vigeland refused to be present at all such visits, including these.