Description
Embrace of life the sculpture of Gustav vigeland:
This volume has the distinction of being the first publication dealing with the work of Gustav Vigeland ever to be printed outside his native Norway. Compiled over a period of five years, it is a comprehensive exploration of this unique artist’s works. Gustav Vigeland occupies a special position among Norwegian sculptors, both in the power of his creative imagination and in his productivity. He is most associated with Vigeland Sculpture Park (Vigelandsanlegget) in Oslo. He was also the designer of the Nobel Peace Prize medal.
Vigeland’s position has until now been undetermined in world art for two reasons. The first is that his work, with only a few exceptions, is owned by the city of Oslo and, because of a legal agreement made before the artist’s death, cannot be sent outside Norway. The second is that his work often deals with sexuality in a frank and vigorous manner which has in many quarters inhibited recognition of his genius. But now that some of the barriers against sexual expression in art have fallen, it is possible to show a comprehensive view of Vigeland’s lusty oeuvre.
This book presents a multifaceted view of his sculpture in 277 black-and-white plates and 32 color plates of the work in his sculpture park, the Vigeland Museum, the National Gallery in Oslo, and civic monuments.The photographer, David Finn, has made studies of much of the world’s important sculpture. He is a man of great and varied abilities, being a partner in the international public relations firm of Ruder and Finn. He is also the board chairman of the Jewish Museum in New York, and has lectured at New York University.
