Monument of Leopold II in Ostend, Bronze equestrian monument on Royal Galleries, Ostend, Belgium
Description
The monument depicts Leopold II in military dress mounted on horseback atop a stone column with a double-L base monogram. This sculptural composition was created in 1931 by artist Alfred Courtens and architect Antoine Courtens.
History
The monument was erected in 1931 as a portrayal of Leopold II as a benefactor of Ostend and Belgian Congo. It received protection status as a cultural landmark in 1981.
Culture
The bronze groups at the base show figures representing Ostend fishermen and Congolese people together. These sculptures reflect how people once viewed trade and colonial expansion.
Practical
The monument stands near the North Sea beach at the Royal Galleries, making it easily accessible to visitors. You can view it from nearby streets and public spaces without restrictions.
Did you know?
In 2004, protesters removed one hand from the Congolese figure as a statement against colonial brutality. This act highlights how the monument remains contested today and embodies different understandings of history.
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