Figure Découpée

It is almost unbelievable. At the heart of one of Amsterdam's most crowded locations is a real Picasso. And surprisingly, there are no permanent guards next to it. The sculpture is freely accessible and is sometimes even used as a goal for football or as a bicycle rack. The artwork, called 'Figure Découpée', evokes different interpretations from people - some see a fish in it, others a bull, and some even a bird. The presence of this artwork has its origins in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Vondelpark (1965). An exhibition of famous works of art was organised to mark the occasion. Picasso designed this 'bird-like' artwork, and Norwegian sculptor Carl Nesjar took care of the actual realisation. Remarkably, the sculpture was never removed after the exhibition, forever embedding Picasso's creation in the park.