“Our lives should be pure and white Tablets whereon God can write.” These words capture the essence of Henrik Ibsen’s profound impact on literature. Here we stand before the Ibsen Monument. It is a tribute to the world-renowned playwright and poet.
Let’s delve into the story behind this monument. The Ibsen Monument immortalizes Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen was born in Norway in 1828. He left home at fifteen. He worked as an apprentice pharmacist and began to write plays.
His early plays did not receive much acclaim. Later, he worked at the Norwegian Theater in Bergen. He assisted in writing, directing, and producing over one hundred forty-five plays. In 1858, Ibsen married Suzannah Thoresen. In 1864, he moved to Italy. He spent the next twenty-seven years there. He wrote his first successful play “Brand” in 1865. His plays stirred controversy. They also brought him financial stability. He moved to Germany in 1868. He wrote some of his more famous plays there. Ibsen died in Norway in 1906.
The Ibsen Monument creation involves the talented Norwegian artist Jacob Fjelde. Fjelde was born in 1859 in Aalesund, Norway. He immigrated to America in 1887. He became one of the first notable Minneapolis sculptors. He opened a studio there. Fjelde created several well-known sculptures in the Twin Cities. These include the Ibsen bust. He also created the Hiawatha and Minnehaha sculpture at Minnehaha Park. Another is the Minerva sculpture at the Minneapolis Central Library. Fjelde died at age thirty-seven in 1896. His sisters Thomane and Gerhardine embroidered the official banner for the State of Minnesota.
Fjelde created three busts of Henrik Ibsen. These were from a casting made during a visit to Ibsen in 1885. The city received one bust in 1907. But in July 1982, the sculpture disappeared. Eleven years later, Public Art Saint Paul and Augsburg College students found the bust. It was in a Robbinsdale video store. After legal processes and funding arrangements, the city restored it. The bust was reinstalled in 1999.
There is also another Bust of Henrik Ibsen. It is located in Tacoma, Washington’s Wright Park. The bronze bust depicts Ibsen with sideburns. It measures approximately 29 x 24 x 12 inches. It rests on a stone base. The base measures approximately 85 x 28 x 28 inches. The sculpture was dedicated on May 17, 1913. This was the 99th anniversary of Norway’s separation from Denmark. Metro Parks Tacoma says the artwork commemorates Ibsen’s nationhood and literary contributions. Copies of the bust can be found in other locations. These include North Dakota State College of Science and the Ibsenhuset arts complex in Skien.
Standing here, one can reflect on Ibsen’s enduring legacy. His works continue to inspire and provoke. The Ibsen Monument serves as a reminder. It reminds us of the power of art and literature. They enrich our understanding of the human condition. It is fitting that Minneapolis. A city with a strong connection to its Scandinavian heritage, honors Ibsen. He remains a towering figure in world literature. Take a moment to appreciate the artistry. Also contemplate the profound words of Henrik Ibsen.