Gazing upon this bronze effigy, you are face to face with Antoine Depage Bust. The bust stands as a tribute to a remarkable man. It honors his dedication to medicine and humanitarian work.
Antoine Depage was not just a surgeon. He was a pioneer. Born in Brussels in 1862, he left an indelible mark on Belgian society. He died in 1925 in The Hague.
The Antoine Depage Bust sits on the facade of the old Centre de Santé de la Croix-Rouge de Belgique. This is now at the corner of Place Brugmann and Rue Stallaert. The Red Cross wanted to honor Depage. He had been President of the Belgian Red Cross. The center was built in 1926 next to another Depage achievement. It was close to the Institut chirurgical Berkendael.
Look closely at the bronze inscription. It reads “FONDATION / ANTOINE ET MARIE / DEPAGE”. Below this, you will see the years “1862 1925”. These are the years of his birth and death.
Godefroid Devreese created the Antoine Depage Bust. The stone base has inscriptions too. You can make out “ANTOINE / DEPAGE”. On the right, it says “JB. DEWIN / ARCHITECTE 26”. This credits Jean-Baptiste Dewin, the architect of the building.
Depage’s work extended far beyond the operating room. In 1907, he and Edith Cavell founded a clinic. They also established the first Belgian nursing school. Cavell taught English methods. Her execution during the war brought shame to the German authorities.
During World War I, Depage played a crucial role. Supported by King Albert 1st and the Queen, he, his wife Marie, and colleague Paul Derache set up a sea ambulance service. His expertise was sought by Allied military doctors.
His wife, Marie Picard, tragically died. She was drowned when the ship the Lusitania sunk. She was returning from the United States. She had been raising funds for the Belgian wounded.
Antoine Depage was a man of immense energy. He established a private hospital in Brussels. He was also active in the Belgian Red Cross. He even served as secretary of the International League of Red Cross Associations. He also founded the Belgian Society of Surgery.
The Antoine Depage Bust stands as a reminder. It reminds us of his tireless work. It reminds us of his dedication to saving lives. Take a moment to appreciate this tribute to a true humanitarian.