Gustav Vigeland (1869 – 1943) is mostly known for the Vigeland Park in Oslo. The sculpture park is the world’s largest created by a single artist, and one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. However, it is the portraits, monuments, and smaller sculpture groups that gained him recognition as the country’s leading sculptor in the beginning of the 20th century. Vigeland did not have a formal art education, however gained knowledge and inspiration throughout his travels in France and Italy. In total he produced over 1600 sculptures, as well as wood carved objects, drawings, woodcuts and other handcrafted objects. A nearly complete collection of his works can be viewed in the Vigeland Museum. The museum was built as his atelier and residency, as well as future museum in the 1920s, and Vigeland lived and worked there during the last twenty years of his life.
Gustav Vigeland’s woodcuts are on view at QSPA Bispevika until November 20th.