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Angry Boy

Angry Boy is the common English name for a bronze sculpture of an angry little boy by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. It stands in Vigeland’s sculpture installation, Vigelandsanlegget, in Oslo’s Frogner Park and is considered one of the city’s best-known landmarks. The sculpture is usually dated to 1928, though Vigeland had already made several miniature versions before then. It has had a turbulent history: it was stolen in 1992, later recovered and reattached, and has since been attacked several more times. Popular with both locals and tourists, it is also frequently touched, especially on the left hand and genitals, which have become visibly shinier from use.

Angry Boy bronze statue of a crying toddler with clenched fists on a pedestal.
Angry Boy, Gustav Vigeland’s famous bronze sculpture of a crying child.
July 2010 © · CC BY 2.0
The Sinataggen bronze sculpture of a toddler stamping its foot on a pedestal, surrounded by trees.
The Sinataggen, also known as Angry Boy, stands on a pedestal in Vigelandsanlegget, Oslo.
September 1984 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Angry Boy sculpture stands on a pedestal outdoors beside water and trees.
The Angry Boy sculpture in Vigelandsparken, shown in a black-and-white photograph.
1949 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Angry Boy bronze statue of an upset toddler with clenched fists and a furrowed expression.
Angry Boy, one of the sculptures in Vigeland Park, shown in a close-up view.
August 2022 © Joetography LLC · CC BY-SA 2.0
Angry Boy sculpture in Frogner Park, Oslo
The Angry Boy sculpture in Frogner Park, Oslo.
© · Public domain

Identification

TitleThe Angry Boy
Alternative namesDer kleine Trotzkopf; Trotzköpfchen; Screaming Boy (skrikende gutt); The Little Temper Tantrum; The little stubborn boy; Sinnataggen
TypeBronze sculpture
SubjectA small naked, bald boy

Historical context

Date modeledLikely modeled in 1928; the version in Frogner Park is dated 1928, and several miniatures had been created before then
Creation period of bridge sculpturesModeled by Vigeland between 1926 and 1933

Creator

ArtistGustav Vigeland
Artist nationalityNorwegian

Discovery and provenance

Earlier sketch dateSaid to have been drawn as early as 1901
Smaller versionModeled in 1911; at least four castings were made, and Vigeland's son later made at least ten additional unauthorized 'junior casts'

Physical characteristics

HeightAbout 1 meter; another source gives 83 centimetres
Weight45 kilograms
BaseSquare base plate measuring 30 x 30 cm
Pose and expressionClenching his fists, raising his shoulders and right leg, standing on one foot, and screaming in anger; the face is contorted with rage

Location and ownership

Number of child figures on the bridgeFour total: two boys and two girls
SettingInstalled outdoors on the bridge railing
Specific placementOn the railing of the bridge over the Frognerdammene pond, at the corner of the central section facing south, on a small bulge on the left side when coming from the park's main entrance
Current locationVigelandsanlegget in Frogner Park, Oslo
Part ofThe bridge sculptures in Vigelandsanlegget; one of 58 sculptures on the Bridge

Appearance

Figure descriptionA naked, chubby little boy with a bald head
Surface wearThe genitals and left hand are frequently touched, so these areas do not have patina and stand out with a metallic shine

History and restoration

Installation dateInstalled in 1940; the first sculptures in the park were installed in 1939
Theft and repairStolen on New Year's Eve 1992, cut off above the left ankle, found on 12 January, returned to Frogner Park, and reattached to the left foot
Later damageHas since been attacked several more times with paint or tools; in April 2021 there was another attempt to cut it off at the ankle, after which it had to be removed for repair

Significance

Associated legendTouching the sculpture is said to bring good luck
Legal statusBecause Vigeland died in 1943, his works are now public domain and may be reproduced commercially; Oslo's attempt to secure rights and prevent reproduction failed in 2017 before the EFTA Court
Use in protestsHas been used multiple times for protest actions, including against the World Bank and for a youth center
Cultural statusA landmark and mascot of Oslo, and a favorite of both residents and tourists
ComparisonsSimilar in iconic status to The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen and Manneken Pis in Brussels
PopularityBecame a popular postcard motif among tourists
NotabilityOne of Gustav Vigeland's best-known sculptures; considered his most famous sculpture

Other

Artist's titling practiceVigeland rarely titled his works, allowing for freer interpretation
Miniatures and replicasVigeland's miniatures of The Little Temper Tantrum were auctioned for large sums; an anonymous buyer offered 1.6 million Norwegian kroner for a 1911 figure in 2017, and a similar sculpture was auctioned 15 years earlier for 1.1 million kroner
2017 auctioned figure descriptionThe 1911 auctioned figure has hair and is more roughly modeled than the version in Frogner Park
Stamp appearancesThe sculpture in Frogner Park appeared on a Norwegian postage stamp in 2000, and the 1911 sculpture appeared on a Norwegian postage stamp in 2019 for Vigeland's 150th birthday