![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/oslo-armillary-sphere-cp5.jpg?w=768)
ARMILLARY SPHERES
GUSTAV VIGELAND
VIGELAND-PARKEN OPEN AIR ART INSTALLATION
Gustav Vigeland (Thorsen) (1869 – 1943) was a Norwegian sculptor much admired for his creative imagination and productivity. His most notable work is the monumental ‘Vigeland Installation’ in the Frogner Park Oslo, compared to which his sundial is a footnote. Although generally acclaimed, Vigeland’s work is viewed by some as having uncomfortable connotations in several respects. The static interaction of the dozens of babies, children, women, and men might – nearly 100 years later – raise eyebrows. Having skimmed the topic I rather agree (despite being of Norwegian descent. Or because of it maybe).
![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/andrew-shiva-wiki-frogner_park-vigeland_installation-the_monolith.jpg?w=1024)
The armillary sphere was installed in 1930, a distinctively Scandinavian variation from designs further south in Europe, in a good way. The heavily sculpted dais is a duodecagon showing the Signs of the Zodiac in bold (lumpen?) relief.
![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/oslo-armillary-sphere-cp1.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/oslo-armillary-sphere-cp2-1.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/oslo-armillary-sphere-cp3.jpg?w=577)
![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/armillary-celestial-sphere.webp?w=147)
BENJAMIN WEGNER
The armillary sphere is located outside the Frogner manor house (now the City Museum) in the south of the park. Wegner aquired the parkland in 1836, and the sphere was probably installed the following year.
![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/benjamin_wegners_solur_i_frognerparken-copy-2.jpg?w=768)
There is very little information about this dial online, and only one clear photo that I could find. As often, Wiki can help clarify obscurity:
The sundial is constructed as an open globe, where the meridians cast a shadow on sunny days onto the inner part of the globe, hitting the inside of the equator line and thus showing the time, specifically the astronomical solar time. Odd Gunnar Skagestad wrote in 2020 that the nearly 200-year-old sundial is greatly neglected and called for efforts to preserve it
GSS Category: Armillary Sphere; City Sundial; Norway Sundial
All Vigeland photos Camilla Pennant; Wegner Dial, ‘Vanasan’
All photo
Dear Keith
although Vigeland was admired by the fascists we like his sculptures. We always have a stroll through the Frogner Park when being in Oslo.
Thanks for showing your pictures
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
My sister has just been in Oslo and took the photos. I haven’t been to Oslo for a few years, and I can’t ever have to the Park – I’m sure I’d remember… I will have to see it now! We have a plan to go to my family home in Mandal (Risøbank), so Oslo & Bergen might be part of that.
LikeLike