Maas Sculpture

The Maas Sculpture is a steel construction that stretches across the river, suspended between the Willemsbrug Bridge and a railway pillar. The work features abstract forms and steel cables that hold the structure above the water.

The sculpture was created by Auke de Vries in 1982 and later reconfigured after an old railway bridge was demolished. The 1994 redesign required new technical solutions to support the structure without the original bridge support.

Local residents call this work 'The Clothesline' because it resembles a washing line stretched across the river. This everyday reference helps people connect the industrial art piece to something familiar in their daily lives.

The sculpture can be observed from various positions along the river bank, especially from the nearby Willemsbrug Bridge. During high water levels, you can see how one of its spherical elements moves and makes contact with the river.

The sculpture uses a counterweight block to maintain balance after being reinstalled at its current location. This technical solution replaced the support that was once provided by the railway bridge that no longer exists.

Location: Rotterdam

Inception: 1983

Creator: Auke de Vries

Made from material: steel

Part of: Sleutelwerken

Address: Bolwerk, 3011 Rotterdam, Nederland

GPS coordinates: 51.91774,4.49371

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:00