Henrik Ibsen

The Henrik Ibsen statue stands directly in front of Oslo’s National Theatre. Stephan Sinding created this public sculpture of the Norwegian playwright and poet. The theatre rises immediately behind it, linking Ibsen’s presence with a major setting for Norwegian drama. Its position makes the artwork part of everyday city life, alongside one of Oslo’s cultural landmarks.

Ibsen is often called the father of modern drama, and theatres worldwide have performed his plays. The National Theatre has a long tradition of staging his work. A thoughtful expression and carefully rendered facial features give the figure a reflective presence. The posture brings attention to the writer’s reputation for examining serious social questions through theatre. Stephan Sinding also created monuments, portraits and allegorical figures in Norway and elsewhere in Europe. His sculpture of Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson stands among his other public works in Oslo. Here, the figure faces the theatre, creating a clear meeting point between literature, sculpture and performance.