Sinnataggen

In Oslo's Frogner Park, in the middle of the sprawling Vigeland sculpture park (Vigelandsanlegget), stands one of the city's best-known bronze figures. The little angry boy, known in Norwegian as Sinnataggen, was created by Gustav Vigeland and is considered a landmark of Oslo. The figure, 83 centimeters tall and weighing 45 kilograms, shows a naked, bald boy whose face is twisted with rage. With clenched fists and his right foot stamping angrily, he embodies childish defiance. It is part of a series of 58 individual figures and groups placed on the railing of the bridge over the Frognerdammene, which explore the relationships between people of different age groups.

The sculpture was made in 1928 and was not installed in the park until 1939. Its history is marked by both vandalism and great popularity. On New Year's Eve 1991/92 it was stolen after being sawed off at the ankle, and it was not found again until New Year's Day. Since then there have been further attacks, and it has been misused for protest actions. A local legend holds that touching the figure brings good luck, which has caused heavy wear in certain spots, where the patina has worn away. Despite this wear and tear, it remains a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who appreciate the emotional expressiveness of the work.