Vigeland Museum: The sculptor’s home & studio

This massive red brick Neoclassical building was Gustav Vigeland's studio and home from 1924 until his death in 1943. Located five minutes south of Vigeland Sculpture Park, the museum reveals the process behind the famous outdoor sculptures. Open Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-4pm, closed Mondays.

The critical realization: the statues in the park are copies. Bronze casts and granite carvings were made from the artist's models. This museum houses the original full-size plaster casts. Seeing the Angry Boy or the 121 Monolith figures in white plaster indoors lets you examine details that have weathered away on the outdoor statues.

Vigeland's private apartment on the third floor has been preserved exactly as he left it when he died. The space is a masterpiece of Norwegian interior design with custom-made furniture, lamps, and woodcarvings all designed by Vigeland himself. The apartment is usually only accessible via guided tours.

Process exhibits show how tiny clay sketches became massive granite monuments, including the heavy tools and framework used by stone carvers who spent 14 years executing the Monolith. The central courtyard with fountain and arcade has incredible acoustics and hosts classical or jazz concerts in summer.