Statue of an African Elephant by Albéric Collin (Tervuren)

Statue of an African Elephant by Albéric Collin (Tervuren)

Highlight • Monument

Statue of an African Elephant by Albéric Collin (Tervuren)

Hiking

4.6

(34)

Cycling

5.0

(3)

Save Share

Location: Tervuren, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

Save Share

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Tips

December 6, 2024

Hiking

The statue of an African elephant made of reinforced concrete was made by Albéric Collin (1886-1962) for the 1935 World Exhibition in Brussels.

In 1938, it was transferred to the Tervuren park and placed on an iron sandstone plinth on the Leuvensesteenweg, directly opposite the current AfricaMuseum.

Over the years, the statue became damaged, mainly due to the internal reinforcement that corrodes and expands. This has caused several cracks to appear, which have been further aggravated by water infiltration and freeze-thaw cycles. Restoration work on the statue began in December 2023 and was completed in September 2024.

Translated by

•

Viviane

December 8, 2024

Hiking

Elephant ridden by Africans was made by artist sculptor Albéric Collin.

Translated by

•

December 9, 2024

Hiking

The hunters on the elephant are supposed to represent Mangbetu. The depiction of the three Mangbetu hunters is in line with the colonial propaganda of the original location where the elephant stood: the Belgian Congo pavilion at the World Exhibition.

But the Mangbetu do not ride elephants. Moreover, they are depicted in an aggressive attacking position. The underlying message: a violent Congo that, in addition to the elephants to be domesticated, had to be 'pacified'.

Source: komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/7178286

Translated by

•