The Mad Maiden

The Mad Maiden is a bronze sculpture depicting a figure caught in dynamic dance movement, standing roughly 2 meters high. The work captures a moment of intense physical expression and conveys a sense of motion and energy through its form.

The Belgian artist Rik Wouters created this work, drawing inspiration from the free and expressive dance movements he witnessed during that era. The piece emerged at a time when sculptors were beginning to challenge traditional ways of depicting the human form.

The figure embodies the artistic spirit of the early twentieth century, when creators began expressing emotions and movement more openly and freely. You can sense a passionate quality in the portrayal that stands apart from the formal art of earlier times.

The work sits in the Middelheim Museum in Antwerp and is displayed outdoors, allowing you to view it from every angle. The location is easy to reach and you should allow time for a full walk around to appreciate the sculpture and its surroundings.

Multiple casts of this work were made over time and are now housed in different collections across the region. This distribution speaks to how influential the piece became in artistic circles.

Inception: 1912

Creator: Rik Wouters

Height: 200 cm

Width: 120 cm

Made from material: bronze

Part of: list of masterpieces of Flanders

GPS coordinates: 51.18133,4.41405

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41