Filed under: bridge, featuredarticle, statue
Bridges and Mysterious Statues
Blauwbrug, Blue Bridge, spans the Amstel River, but it is not blue at all. The bridge was built in 1874, and inspired by Paris’ Pont Alexandre III. The main construction is cast-iron, a relatively new material when the bridge was built. It allowed builders a new flamboyance. Look at the bridge and you will see that its central piers are carved with images of boats and fish. Red granite pillars hold streetlamps capped with bright yellow crowns, copies of the Hapsburg imperial crown.
Stand on the bridge for a wonderful view of the Amstel. To the north is the Stopera complex housing the town hall and Muziektheater. Looking south, you will see Magere Brug (map), or Skinny Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in Amsterdam.
Skinny Bridge or Magere Brug
A bridge has spanned this stretch of the river since 17th century. Legend has it that a footbridge was built for two sisters. Each living on one side of the river. The bridge made it easier for them to visit each other. Another story tells that the sisters needed a bridge to get to their carriage and horsed stabled across the water. Their family name was Mager, hence Magere Brug. Mager translates as skinny.
It is much more likely that the bridge got its name because it was so narrow that it was almost impossible for two persons to pass other. In 1772, the bridge was widened to a double bridge. The present Magere Brug is a copy and was built in 1929.
Violin Player in the Stopera
Step for a moment inside the Stopera. You will find statue of a violinist bursting through the tiles floor of the Concert Hall entrance. Over the past years, in the dead of night an anonymous artist placed several of his or her creations in public places.
It all started in 1982 when a headless man appeared in Marnix Park (map). He carries a violin case in one hand and seems to be rushing out to catch a tram. The second statue is a small man hiding in a tree and sawing off the branch he is sitting on. Two years later the mysterious artist left a woman’s breast and a hand carressing it embedded in the pavement next to Oude Kerk (map) the in the Red Light District. The next statue is of three men deeply engaged in converstation and sitting on high-stilted chairs. Another music related statue appeared. This time an accordionist player who pops out from the wall in Anjelierstraat. The last statue appeared in 2007. A man skating on skeelers and a little dog running next to him in Madelievenstraat.
The artist is supposedly called Floris de Graaf, a surgeon at one of Amsterdam’s hospitals. He is the co-author of a book about sculptures and a sculptor himself. One of his works, similar in style to the anonymous ones can be found in the city of Velzen.
Remains the question: is it possible to erect a statue without the permission of the authorities? Hardly, would be the answer. Especially the one placed inside the Music Hall shows that someone must have given permission. It is embedded in the floor and placing it means that some tiles had to be removed. This has lead to another surmise. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is an accomplished sculptor. She may have presented some of her works of art to the city of Amsterdam.
photo credit:
violin player Adam Schneider @flickr
Magere Brug personal collection
