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Rhine Orange

Rhine Orange is a 1992 sculpture in Duisburg-Kaßlerfeld, located at the mouth of the Ruhr into the Rhine at river kilometer 780. Created by Cologne sculptor Lutz Fritsch, it is made of steel and serves as a landmark for the city. The work is 25 meters high, seven meters wide, one meter deep, and weighs 83 tons. Its bright RAL 2004 orange color and glowing-red slab form allude to steel production in the Ruhr region. The sculpture was funded by donations from companies through an initiative of the IHK Niederrhein Young Business Association and is part of the Route of Industrial Heritage.

Rheinorange sculpture standing beside a wide river with sunlight reflecting on the water and distant buildings in the background.
The Rheinorange sculpture rises beside the Rhine, with the river and distant city buildings behind it.
December 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Rhine Orange sculpture standing on the far bank of a wide river with a distant townscape behind it.
Rhine Orange on the riverbank, silhouetted against a hazy dusk sky across the Rhine.
March 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Rhine Orange standing on a grassy riverbank with a bridge and industrial structures in the background.
Rhine Orange rises beside the river, with a bridge and industrial landscape in the distance.
November 2011 © Frank Vincentz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Rhine Orange stands on the distant riverbank beside the Rhine in Duisburg.
The Rhine Orange rises on the far bank of the Rhine in Duisburg, visible above the riverside cityscape.
December 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Rhine Orange sculpture standing on a grassy riverbank beside a wide river, with trees and industrial structures in the background.
Rhine Orange stands on the bank of the Rhine near Duisburg, with riverfront greenery and industrial structures beyond.
July 2004 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

NameRheinorange
English nameRhine Orange
TypeSculpture

Historical context

Year erected1992

Creator

ArtistLutz Fritsch
Artist originCologne, Germany

Discovery and provenance

FundingDonated by companies on the initiative of the Wirtschaftsjunioren of the IHK Niederrhein

Physical characteristics

Height25 m
Width7 m
Depth1 m
Weight83 tonnes
CostMore than 400,000 Deutsche Mark

Materials

ColorRAL 2004 (bright orange, called Reinorange)
MaterialSteel

Appearance

Visual motifA glowing red steel slab (bramme) representing steel production in the Ruhr area

Iconography and meaning

Name meaningA wordplay on Reinorange ('pure orange'), matching the RAL 2004 color
Interpretive themeIntended to link aspects of Duisburg's economic and cultural life
Linked aspectsThe mouth of the Ruhr, Europe's largest inland port, Duisburg's steel industry and technology sector, and the Lehmbruck Museum as a major museum for modern sculpture in Europe

Location and ownership

LocationDuisburg-Neuenkamp, Duisburg, Germany, at the mouth of the Ruhr into the Rhine near Rhine kilometer 780
Nearby landmarkFriedrich-Ebert-Brücke
Heritage trailRoute of Industrial Heritage
Trail endpointEnd of the 230 km Ruhrtalradweg
Event endpointEnd of the Tortour de Ruhr ultramarathon

Significance

FunctionLandmark