I climb 101 steps from the Fountain to The Monolith.
But I get a good view of the park.
I didn’t count them, but it’s said that there are over 200 sculptures in the park, all by Norway’s most famous artist, Gustav Vigeland.
Gustav, he was a wheeler and a dealer.
Indeed, he convinced the city of Oslo that if they built him a house and a studio, he would donate all of his subsequent works to the city after his death.
He was true to his word.
The centerpiece of the park is The Monolith.
In 1928, after a 270-tonne stone block was raised in the park, Vineland’s stonecutters began transferring the shapes from Vigeland’s plaster models.
121 figures trying to reach the top of the sculpture.
It would take 13 years to complete.
I walk through the park just before dusk.
It’s busy with runners, dog-walkers, children playing.
Lovers holding hands.
A great gift from the artist to his community.
