Roar! Do you hear that? No it’s not a real dinosaur. It’s the echo of a playful imagination. Right here in Amsterdam stands a pair of magnificent dinosaur sculptures. They are not the majestic behemoths of Jurassic Park but rather charming relics of a bygone era.
These aren’t just any dinosaurs. They’re the creations of Boudewijn Bollee. He was Artis Zoo’s reptile keeper. A self-taught sculptor he created these amazing works in 1954. He envisioned them as two-thirds life-size. His goal? To avoid a complete solar eclipse of course!
The pair consists of an Allosaurus and a Stegosaurus. Both are made of concrete. They stand proudly near the zoo’s monumental aquarium. The Allosaurus is a fearsome sight with its exaggerated teeth and a pot belly. It’s a quirky interpretation reflecting the limited palaeontological knowledge of that time. Its stance is comical almost like a cartoon crocodile walking on two legs.
The Stegosaurus is more naturalistic. Its bumpy skin is reminiscent of older palaeoart. However the number of spikes on its tail is wrong. It has eight instead of four. Even though the correct number was already known to science. Perhaps Bollee thought eight spikes looked cooler.
These sculptures have endured. Local newspapers reported in 1979 they were near collapse. Yet they stand today. Children can even climb on the Stegosaurus. It’s often covered in sand a testament to its enduring popularity.
These white concrete dinosaurs are more than just sculptures. They are a symbol of Amsterdam’s quirky history and artistic spirit. They represent a time when scientific understanding of dinosaurs was less developed. But they still hold a charm that transcends time. They are living proof that even in concrete art can capture a personality. And that even imperfect dinosaurs can captivate audiences for decades.