The fountain was created in 1983 by the Osnabrück artist Hans Gerd Ruwe and stands in the centre of the Vitihof. It is generally known for the fact that the washerwomen used to go about their work on the nearby river Hase. It consists of a bronze Schwengel pump and a sculpture depicting a washerwoman. This washerwoman is holding one of her sons under the sink to wash. At the same time, she prevents her other son from running away. Unlike most other fountains, the water in this installation does not flow in a circuit. Instead, it is tap water that flows out of the spout by lifting the pump handle. With this sculpture, Gerd Ruwe wanted to convey warmth and cordiality at a time when mainly negative modern works of art were being created.
The inauguration of the fountain on 1 June 1983 also marked the completion of the road and sewer construction work at Vitihof. This was celebrated with a public festival at which 30 litres of free beer flowed for visitors from a tap installed on the pump.
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