Monument to Labor, Bronze and stone memorial in Laeken, Belgium
The Monument to Labor is a bronze sculpture group with four high reliefs mounted on a granite block in Laeken. The composition consists of five bronze figures and four relief panels standing at Yacht Quay next to the Vergote basin.
The monument was conceived by Constantin Meunier in the 1890s and completed after his death. Its inauguration took place in 1930 during Belgium's centenary celebration.
The sculptures show different workers such as the miner, blacksmith, and ancestor, representing the labor force of 19th-century Belgium. These figures reflect the hard work that shaped Belgian society.
The monument is located at the corner of Rue Claessens and Avenue de la Reine and is reachable by public transport from central Brussels. The site is freely accessible and stands in an open setting with good visibility from multiple angles.
The four high reliefs on the sides represent Industry, Mining, Harvest, and Port activities, each connected to one of the four natural elements. This connection between labor and natural forces gives the work philosophical depth.
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