The Ship’s Figurehead

According to sculptor Arthur Spronken (1930–2018), the Namur stone defines the character of the Stokstraat quarter. The neighbourhood is now a luxury shopping district, but was formerly a working-class area closely linked to the River Meuse ( Meuse ) and its quays. With this figurehead, the artist pays tribute to the skippers who used to transport the bluestone from Belgium via the ‘ Meuse ’ to Maastricht.

The sculpture, with its long neck and prominent bust, was popularly nicknamed ‘Merie vaan Bonhomme’, after Maria Bonhomme, the wife of the shipowner who operated the boat service to Liège.

The artist
Arthur Spronken (1930–2018), a native of Limburg, was groomed for a career in commerce but eventually enrolled at the School of Applied Arts in Maastricht. There, he was taught by Charles Vos, amongst others. This mentor created many iconic works of art that feature in Maastricht’s cityscape, such as ‘t Mooswief and Hendrik van Veldeke. After Maastricht, Spronken studied for a year in Milan at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera.

What is there to see?
The bronze sculpture is two metres high and stands on a triangular column made of basalt concrete. Mayor Baeten unveiled it in 1973. Take a look around: on many of the houses in the Stokstraat Quarter, the windows and doors are framed with grey Namur stone, which the boatmen brought here via the ‘ Meuse ’. From the statue, you can easily explore this historic district with its monumental buildings, narrow streets and characteristic façades.

Fun fact
Just round the corner from ‘Het Scheepsboegbeeld’, on the Op de Thermen square, you’ll find another sculpture by Arthur Spronken, ‘ Amazone te paard ’. The horse’s torso is a recurring theme in his work. In his youth, Spronken was often surrounded by horses, a hobby shared by both his father and grandfather. In Milan, he studied under Marino Marini, a specialist in equine sculpture.