The sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland's life work, comprising over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron. It was installed mainly in the period 1940-1949, but is nevertheless a result of over 40 years of work. The starting point for the park is Vigeland's Fountain, which was originally meant to be placed at Eidsvolls plass in front of the Parliament. These plans were never realized, and the Fountain later became part of Vigeland's more extensive park plans.

In 1924, the city council agreed that the sculptor's monumental Fountain was to be erected in Frogner Park. At that time, Vigeland's park project had expanded to include the Monolith and the Bridge.