Vigelandmuseet

About the museum

Vigelandmuseet is located in Nobels gate in Frogner, just south of Vigelandsparken. The building was designed by the architect Lorentz Harboe Ree as a studio and home for the sculptor Gustav Vigeland. The contract between Vigeland and Oslo municipality was signed in February 1921: the municipality took over all the artworks, and the artist was allowed to use the studio for as long as he lived, on condition that the building would later become a museum. The building was completed in 1929 and is regarded as one of the main works of Neoclassicism in Norway. It is today protected.

Vigeland moved into the apartment on the second floor in 1924 and lived there until his death in 1943. The artist's home, with its original interior from the 1920s, has been preserved with two lounges, a dining room, a bedroom, a library and a kitchen, and Vigeland designed the carpets, cushions, tablecloths, candlesticks and lamps himself. The home can only be visited on an arranged guided tour or a public guided tour.

The museum owns an almost complete collection of Gustav Vigeland's art. In the permanent exhibition the plaster originals of the iconic works in Vigelandsparken stand in full size, together with some of the sculptor's earliest works, well-known monuments and portrait busts. The park outside is open around the clock and is managed by Bymiljøetaten (the Urban Environment Agency). The museum is part of Kulturetaten (the Culture Agency) of Oslo municipality.

Highlights

• The plaster originals of the works in Vigelandsparken in full size
• The fountain model from 1906 and the Abelmonumentet (the Abel Monument)
• Early works such as Helvete (Hell) and Forbannet (The Damned)
• Gustav Vigeland's preserved artist's home on the second floor
• Drawing in the museum for all visitors
• Vigelandsparken outside, open around the clock

Permanent exhibitions

• Fast utstilling – The plaster originals of the iconic works in Vigelandsparken in full size, some of Vigeland's earliest works, monuments and portrait busts.
• Kunstnerhjemmet – Gustav Vigeland's apartment on the second floor with its original interior from the 1920s; visits by arrangement or on a public guided tour.

Founded

1930

Operated by

Kulturetaten, Oslo kommune

Admission & discounts

Oslo Pass gives free admission. Vigelandsparken is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is a listed building from the 1920s, and the facilities for visitors with reduced functional ability do not always meet modern standards. The permanent collection on the ground floor can be visited by wheelchair via a ramp at the main entrance; the rooms are spacious and have no door thresholds, and there is also a ramp in the Borggården (courtyard). There is no lift, so the sketch room on the first floor and the artist's home on the second floor cannot be reached without stairs. Wheelchairs can be borrowed. An accessible toilet (HC toilet) is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Guided tour with clay modelling for nurseries and children up to and including 4th grade; guided tour and drawing for 5th–10th grade. Pushchairs are not permitted in the museum, but the museum has two baby carriers available for loan. Changing table in the universally designed toilet.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Nobels gate 32, south of Vigelandsparken in Frogner.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Lockers

No café in the museum; eateries nearby. Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibition rooms. Museum shop with in-house products, drawing equipment and books. Bags and rucksacks are placed in lockable lockers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum can be rented as a venue for events, photography and filming.

Plan your visit