The Wereldwijf

While strolling through the bustling Wagenstraat, sculptor Ingrid Rollema noticed a striking woman ahead of her. Though petite, she carried herself with royal poise. She wore large plastic earrings and had a powerful, majestic presence. Rollema was immediately captivated. In this woman, she saw strength, pride—and the inspiration for a sculpture she would call Wereldwijf.

Near the revolving doors of the Bijenkorf department store, Rollema approached her with a bold request: would she pose as a model? The woman’s proud and radiant face gave an unspoken yes, and thus the creative process began. In 1980, the sculpture was first exhibited at Galerie Westeinde. Soon after, it was acquired by the city of The Hague as part of the Visual Arts Regulation program.

For years, Wereldwijf stood near the HEMA on Voldersgracht, greeting passersby with her powerful presence. Later, she moved to Zuiderpark, and since 2014, she proudly stands on Rabbijn Maarsenplein—a striking figure of strength and dignity.