Maman, Bronze spider sculpture at Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain
Maman is a bronze sculpture from the series of the same name, standing at the entrance to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The eight slender stainless steel legs rise nine meters into the air, while beneath the body hangs a sac holding 32 marble eggs.
Louise Bourgeois created the first version in 1999 as a commission for the Tate Modern in London for the Unilever Series. Later, several casts were made and placed in different locations around the world.
The French-American artist named the work after the French word for mother, and the eggs inside represent protection and fertility. Spiders weave webs just as Bourgeois' mother repaired tapestries, and this connection runs through the entire series.
Visitors can walk underneath the sculpture and view it from all sides, as it stands freely on the museum's forecourt. The best view of the eggs and body structure is from a short distance away.
Each leg curves outward in a wide arc, similar to the flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals. This shape distributes the weight so that the thin steel tubes can support several tons.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Guggenheim Museum
100 m
Puppy
205 m
La Salve
96 m
Tall Tree & The Eye
130 m
Palacio Olabarri
262 m
Puente Pedro Arrupe
325 m
Edificio Museoalde
223 m
Parque de la Campa de los Ingleses
255 m
Maman (Louise Bourgeois, Bibao)
7 m
Biblioteca de la Universidad de Deusto - Centro de Documentación Europea
351 m
Centro de Documentación ELA - Sindikatua Egoitza Nagusia Barrainkua
309 mExplorer's Book
285 m6 Sandstone
347 mTulipanes
76 mLlamas Galeria De Arte
295 mChaos Nervión
313 mMonumento a los marinos del Consulado de Bilbao
217 m
Homenaje a Ramón Rubial
129 mSirgueras
317 m7 Limestone
278 mBegirari IV
335 mAtalase
344 mBBO_22
347 mScenic viewpoint
306 mScenic viewpoint
108 mScenic viewpoint
323 mPuerta de los Honorables
147 mPedro Arrupe
342 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes