Modern marble sculpture in Haarlem’s city centre

If you enjoy art, you should look out for a bold modern marble sculpture in Haarlem’s city centre. “Van A tot Z” (from A to Z) is the work of Marinus Boezem, a Dutch sculptor and conceptual artist.

It’s easy to miss this minimalist yet bold modern marble sculpture in Haarlem’s city centre if you’re walking around looking up at all the historic buildings. To see the marble sculpture, you have to keep your eyes closer to the ground. “Van A tot Z” is on De Oude Groenmarkt just behind the main market square and St. Bavo Church.

Look out for two large black marble letters: the “A” is upright and “Z” is on its side on a square marble baseplate. It is the work of Marinus Boezem, a Dutch sculptor and conceptual artist.

I walk past this sculpture so often (usually on my way to get ice-cream at IJssalon Gelateria Bartoli🍦), so I decided to find the story behind it.

Writers and poets in the spotlight

The sculpture was created in honour of Dutch lyricist, Lennaert Nijgh but unlike many sculptures that celebrate people, this one doesn’t show the person its honouring. This is intentional.

The large marble letters symbolise language, the medium used by writers to create their work. The text engraved on the marble baseplate are lyrics from Nijgh’s work.

Fast facts

• Lennaert Nijgh (1945-2002) was a lyricist for Boudewijn de Groot, a Dutch singer-songwriter and protest singer.

• De Groot’s claim to fame was a song called “Welterusten, meneer de president” (Sleep well, Mr President). The song was written to protest the Vietnam War and the US president at the time, Lyndon B. Johnson.

• Lennaert Nijghpad, a street in Haarlem North, is also named after Nijgh.

• If you’re exploring Haarlem on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you should grab a to-go coffee at Coffee Habits Speciality Coffee. I hope they have the lemon cake on the day that you are there! It is delicious.
• Bij Babette, Haarlem’s only English tearoom has a beautiful, welcoming terrace. If the weather isn’t good, sit inside and experience the tearoom’s old-world charm.
• You can also see Haarlem’s narrowest house and discover charming little streets in Haarlem’s old city centre.

Enjoy this post? Spread the word!

More to see and do in Haarlem:

Girl with a Pearl Earring in Haarlem

In Kokstraat in Haarlem’s city centre you can see Golden Age painter Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” as a work of street art. It isn’t a large piece so you have to look for it. It is placed on what could have been a small window at some point, recessed in a red […]

Loafing around

On the Bakenessergracht in Haarlem you’ll find the former “Haarlemsche Brood- en Meelfabriek” (Haarlem’s Bread and Flour Factory). The building caught my eye some time ago. I decided to find out more. 🍞 The factory was built in 1876 in the neo-romanesque architectural style. 🍞 The original building had four floors. In 1896 a fifth […]

De Bolwerken: my favourite city park

De Bolwerken isn’t part of an official tour of Haarlem and that’s why I want to tell you about it. This is my favourite city park because the landscape design tells a story about Haarlem’s history.  I’ve looked through all my photos to find snapshots of the park during every season. I hope you enjoy […]

Get into the habit

I have discovered a tiny café and takeaway coffee spot that’s probably as big as my kitchen. Coffee Habits Speciality Coffee is about 14 square metres, but in this case size is not important. They serve coffee just the way I like it: strong, full of flavour and not too much froth. When I visited […]

Haarlem’s only English tearoom: Have you experienced Bij Babette?

If you’re looking for somewhere to have a proper cup of tea and fluffy scones in Haarlem, I would recommend Bij Babette, Haarlem’s only English tearoom. It’s one of Haarlem’s most fabulous spots, full of old-world charm, glamour and decadence. I love spending time at Bij Babette because it makes me feel like I’ve experienced […]

Haarlem’s only English tearoom: Have you experienced Bij Babette?

If you’re looking for somewhere to have a proper cup of tea and fluffy scones in Haarlem, I would recommend Bij Babette, Haarlem’s only English tearoom. It’s one of Haarlem’s most fabulous spots, full of old-world charm, glamour and decadence. I love spending time at Bij Babette because it makes me feel like I’ve experienced […]