Back to photostream

Maman

Ottawa, CANADÀ 2024.

 

The bronze sculpture Maman, a work by the French artist Louise Bourgeois, is one of the most emblematic pieces at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. It stands over 9 meters tall and depicts a long-legged spider holding a sac of marble eggs under its abdomen. The piece was created in 1999 as part of a series of works dedicated to the artist's mother.

 

Bourgeois saw her mother, a tapestry restorer, as a weaver and protector, much like a spider. The sculpture, therefore, symbolizes the strength, intelligence, and protective instinct of motherhood. Despite its imposing size and the fear many people have of spiders, the work conveys a sense of refuge and security. Maman is a monumental piece that challenges the viewer's perceptions and pays an emotional tribute to the maternal figure.

1,097 views
103 faves
12 comments
Uploaded on September 16, 2025
Taken on May 3, 2024