High above the city a magnificent equestrian statue stands tall. It is the statue of King Albert I. This majestic monument overlooks Rue Albert De Bast – Albert De Baststraat. Its bronze gleam reflects the history of this very street.
Rue Albert De Bast – Albert De Baststraat is a quiet street nestled near the bustling heart of Brussels. It’s a street with a story. A story tied to the memory of King Albert I. His unexpected death in 1934 caused immense grief throughout Belgium. Brussels in particular sought a fitting tribute. The debate raged on. Should it be a grand building a new park or something else entirely? Ultimately a sculpture was chosen. A classical and traditional monument.
Alfred Courtens the sculptor presented his initial model in 1943. It was a relatively small 1.5-meter model. The model was revised and approved several years later. However the Second World War and material shortages delayed construction significantly. Finally in 1951 the bronze statue was cast. It was transported in three sections the horse’s body its head and the King’s likeness. This was done to ease transportation. The statue stands proudly on a pedestal. The pedestal was designed by Jules Ghobert a key architect of the Royal Library of Belgium.
The statue’s location is significant. It is placed where the Mont des Arts meets the Boulevard de l’Empereur. It stands a short distance from the Royal Library of Belgium. The library itself is nicknamed Albertine or Albertina. This is a tribute to King Albert I. It is a fitting testament to a beloved king.
The statue itself is striking. King Albert is depicted as a soldier-king. He is wearing a military coat. He holds a helmet in his hand. Courtens purposefully left the King bareheaded. The sculptor felt a helmet would cast a shadow obscuring the king’s face. This decision was deliberate. It reflects Courtens’ artistic vision. The style mirrors that of the equestrian statue of Leopold II. This was a homage to Courtens’ teacher Thomas Vinçotte.
So stand here on Rue Albert De Bast – Albert De Baststraat. Consider the history that surrounds you. Think of the king the sculptor the architects and the city’s collective grief and celebration. This quiet street holds a piece of Brussels’ rich history. It is a history that continues to resonate even today.