Vandals damage famous Vigeland sculpture in Oslo park

One of Scandinavia’s most famous works of art has been removed from public exhibition after suffering severe damage. Vandals damaged bronze sculpture Sinnataggen in Oslo’s Vigeland Park trying to saw off his standing leg.

Oslo city leaders reported the vandalism to the police because the sculpture protected the status of a cultural monument. The sculpture – depicting an angry young boy – is the most famous of more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) on display to the public in West Oslo.

Statue removed for renovation

In a press release, the Oslo City Culture Department said the sculpture has now been removed for research and conservation.

“We want the public to have direct access to the art of Vigeland, so it’s a shame that something like this is happening. We hope to solve the problem quickly and put the sculpture back on the bridge as soon as possible, ”said Jarle Strømodden, director of the Vigeland Museum.

Not the first time

This is not the first time that the fame of sculpture has attracted vandals. The sculpture has been vandalized by paint on several occasions. It was spray painted in 1995, painted white in 2006 and pink the following year. In 2012, the sculpture was vandalized with red oil paint.

It’s not clear if this latest attack was an attempted theft, but it wouldn’t be the first time. In 1992, the sculpture was successfully stolen but found soon after. The sculpture has been replaced with a more secure attachment.

Oslo’s famous sculptures

The bronze, granite and cast iron sculptures that Visit Oslo calls “an evocative tribute to humanity in all its complexity” typically attract over a million visitors a year. The park is free and is open all year round, 24 hours a day.

Living in Oslo for most of his adult life, Vigeland was supported by the city with the agreement that his life’s work would be donated to the city upon his death. He designed and supervised the sculptures as well as the design and architectural contours of the park.

The Angry Boy is one of 58 bronze sculptures of women, men and children mounted on the Bridge of the Sculpture Park. Modeled in the period 1925-1933 and installed in 1940, it was among the first sculptures to be installed in the park.