Discover the Monumental Iron Sculptures of Carel Visser in the Rijksmuseum Gardens Exhibition

This summer, the Rijksmuseum Gardens showcase the influential Dutch sculptor Carel Visser, renowned for his rigorous yet nature-inspired iron sculptures. The exhibition brings together works from various collections, highlighting Visser's unique approach to stacking, repetition, and symmetry, and features pieces that were recently restored and permanently installed in the gardens.

The Rijksmuseum Gardens are hosting an exhibition dedicated to the work of Carel Visser (1928–2015), widely regarded as the most influential Dutch sculptor of the twentieth century. Visser, who preferred iron and steel over traditional materials, used a cutting torch and welding equipment to create his monumental sculptures. His works are characterized by a rigorous structure derived from stacking, repetition, and symmetry, yet they evoke natural forms such as spines, branches, or resting animals, revealing his search for the essence of nature. Many of Visser's sculptures are permanently installed in public spaces across the Netherlands, rarely leaving their locations. This exhibition marks a significant occasion by bringing together several of these works, including notable pieces like 'Jacob's Ladder' (1954), 'Lake' (2006), and 'Big Four' (1965), offering a unique opportunity to view them collectively. The exhibition also prominently features 'Signal 1' and 'Signal 2' (1964), sculptures originally commissioned by the PTT and recently restored to become permanent fixtures in the Rijksmuseum Gardens, serving as modern guardians at the entrance.

Admission to the Rijksmuseum Gardens is free. The gardens are open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.