Скачать или смотреть Statue of Leopold II in Ostend

The equestrian statue of Leopold II in Ostend is a monument that was inaugurated on July 19, 1931. It is located on the seawall near the Royal Galleries, at the site known as the "Three Gapers." The statue was designed by Alfred Courtens (sculptor) and Antoine Courtens (architect) and is made of bronze.

Description
Central figure: Leopold II is depicted in military uniform on horseback, gazing out over the North Sea.

Statue groups:

On the left: A group of Congolese people, intended to symbolize "gratitude" for their alleged liberation from slavery under Arab traders.

On the right: A group of Ostend fishermen honoring Leopold II as a benefactor.

The monument also features architectural elements, including a double-L monogram often used by Leopold II.

Historical Context
The statue was erected to honor Leopold II as a "benefactor" of Ostend and the Congo Free State. During his reign, he invested in urban projects such as the Royal Galleries and other infrastructure in Ostend. These projects were largely financed by revenues from the exploitation of Congo, which led to severe human rights abuses.

Controversy
The statue is controversial due to Leopold II's colonial policies in Congo, where millions of people suffered and died. The monument has been repeatedly defaced and damaged by activists protesting his legacy. In recent years, Ostend decided not to remove the statue but to provide it with critical context, including artistic interventions to highlight colonial history.

Location
Address: Promenade Koning Boudewijn (near the Three Gapers), Ostend, Belgium.

Coordinates: 51°13′38″N 2°54′17″E.

The statue remains a significant symbol in the ongoing debate about how Belgium confronts and commemorates its colonial past.