Steel against the sky. What stories could this sculpture tell? Les neuf Provinces – De negen provincies is a stunning mural sculpture in Brussels. It represents the nine provinces of Belgium at the time of its creation.
Let’s delve into the story of Les neuf Provinces – De negen provincies. In the early 1960s, a bank called Crédit Communal de Belgique wanted to expand. It needed a large headquarters. The bank planned a complex at the site of the old Saint-Jean hospital. This was at the corner of Pacheco and Jardin Botanique boulevards. Construction began in 1964 and finished in early 1970.
In 1968, the bank launched a competition. The goal was to find a sculpture to decorate the bank’s facade. The competition was announced in the press in May 1969. Names like Marcel Arnould and Jean Willame participated. Jacques Moeschal won.
Moeschal was already famous. His work for the 1968 Mexico Olympics made him even more renowned. For this commission, he created a stainless steel mural sculpture. Les neuf Provinces – De negen provincies is over 13 meters high.
The artist wanted it to be visible from the top of Jardin Botanique boulevard. It features nine abstract modules. These represent the nine provinces. Four modules are concave. Five are convex. They are arranged in a 212, 121, 212 rhythm. The entire structure is mounted on steel bars. It weighs over seven tons.
Creating Les neuf Provinces – De negen provincies was a challenge. The material was stainless steel. The welders at Wiskemann had to be precise. They could not deform the curves. The lines had to be perfect. Moeschal’s innovative work pushed boundaries. It showcased the skills of specialists. It also created an image deeply connected to the site.
The provinces themselves have an interesting history. The provinces’ borders are based on French departments. These were created after the French Revolution. In 1830, Belgium became independent. It kept the nine provinces. In 1995, Brabant split. This created Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant. Now, Belgium has ten provinces. Brussels does not belong to any province.
Les neuf Provinces – De negen provincies stands as a testament. It embodies artistic innovation and provincial identity. It invites us to reflect on Belgium’s past and present. It challenges us to consider its future.