The Three Wise Noses of De Panne rise high above the coastline and defy the elements. With a plinth as identical bodies and faces, the monolithic sculptures of Jos de Gruyter and Harald Thys are part of a tradition of heroic-realistic monuments, such as the New York Statue of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer from Rio de Janeiro or the Colossus of Rhodes. Originally serving as a guide or beacon for ships, the coastal statues act as angelic guardians of navigators and symbolic protectors of the harbor or coastal city. Over time, they have become a tourist attraction. These "noses" (noses) point to England, France and the interior of Belgium respectively, their eyes fixed on infinity.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

May 7, 2024

These striking statues can, as it were, be placed in the same category as monuments such as the Statue of Liberty (New York) or Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro) thanks to their heroic-realistic nature. Originally, such images served as a signpost, but now they have become real must-sees. The three heads are also real smart-arses: they all stubbornly look in a different direction: towards France, England or the Belgian interior.

Translated by Google •

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

December 10, 2019

Artist: Jos de Gruyter en Harald Thys
With their monolithic posture and stark gaze, the Drie Wijsneuzen (‘Three Wise Noses’) of De Panne tower over the coastline. They are part of a tradition of heroic-realistic monuments such as the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro or the Colossus of Rhodes. These are statues that served originally as beacons or signposts and have now become tourist attractions in their own right. The ‘wise ones’ gaze over each other’s heads toward England, France and Belgium respectively. Their enigmatic knowledge extends presumably in the direction of those three regions, but reaches much further still.
Together witch the shiny chrome crescent, these outdoor sculptures are products of the Beaufort art festival.
Location: Beach at Canadezenplein, De Panne, right next to one of the fanciest restrooms along the coast, particular in contrast to France just across the border

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Location: De Panne, Veurne, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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