Editing Gustav Vigeland (section)

==Early public works==
Until 1902 Vigeland was engaged in the restoration of the [[Nidaros Cathedral]] in [[Trondheim]]. The contact with Mediaeval art contributed to another frequent theme in Vigeland's art, the [[dragon]] as symbol of [[sin]] but also as a nature force, fighting against man.

Back in Oslo, he obtained from the town an abandoned studio in which to work. In 1905 Norway became independent from [[Sweden]]. Vigeland, considered the most talented Norwegian sculptor, received numerous commissions for statues and busts celebrating renowned compatriots like [[Henrik Ibsen]] and [[Niels Henrik Abel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/exhibitions/previous/51-past-exhibitions/306-asseenbygustavvigeland |title=As seen by Gustav Vigeland (The Vigeland Museum) |publisher=Vigeland.museum.no |date=2006-02-09 |access-date=2014-01-03 |archive-date=2014-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103171449/http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/exhibitions/previous/51-past-exhibitions/306-asseenbygustavvigeland |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1906 Vigeland proposed a chalk model for a monumental fountain. Initially, the idea of the Oslo municipality was to put the fountain in [[Eidsvolls plass]], the square in front of the [[Parliament of Norway]]. His work was generally welcomed, but the location created a dispute: completion of the work was postponed by the dispute. In the meantime Vigeland enlarged the original project, adding several sculpture groups. The high [[granite]] column was added to the design in 1919.