Reflecting on Belgium’s industrial might of the late 19th century is what the Monument au Travail – Monument aan de Arbeid is all about. This monument stands in Laeken north of the grand bassin Vergote. It is located on the Quai des Yachts. Inaugurated in 1930 the Monument au Travail showcases five bronze sculptures. These sculptures are complemented by four high reliefs. Constantin Meunier conceived this project. He worked on it from the 1890s until his death in 1905. Architect Mario Knauer completed the monument posthumously.
The story of the Monument au Travail is full of twists and turns. Meunier started designing the figures and reliefs between 1890 and 1902. Initially Meunier envisioned a layout resembling a semicircle or pyramid. Victor Horta even drafted several installation plans. In 1901 during Meunier’s 70th birthday Camille Lemonnier passionately advocated for the monument. He wanted it to be a national tribute to Meunier. Meunier wished to place his monument at the rond-point of Avenue de Tervueren. The government refused fearing it could become a rallying point for socialists during protests.
Despite the initial setbacks a Danish individual offered to buy the sculptures in 1902. They intended to erect a monument in Denmark. This proposition caused such an uproar that the government bought the sculptures in 1903. However they had no definite installation plan. Visitors could view a life-size assembly trial at the exhibition. It was dedicated to Meunier’s work in Leuven in 1909.
In 1926 the Societé Centrale d’Architecture de Belgique formed a committee. This was to erect Constantin Meunier’s Monument au Travail. Mario Knauer’s design won a competition in 1929. The monument was inaugurated in 1930 during Belgium’s centennial celebrations. It was originally installed at Square Jules de Trooz. It was dismantled in 1949. In 1954 the monument was reassembled at Quai des Yachts just across the canal.
Over the years the Monument au Travail suffered from weather damage and vandalism. A protection committee was established to save it. There was talk of moving it to the Heysel plateau. The committee deemed this unacceptable. They believed the monument belonged facing the port of Brussels. Despite being classified as a historical site administrative obstacles piled up. Work began in 1999. It was completed in 2002.
The Monument au Travail reflects Belgium’s industrial era. La Maternité stands in front symbolizing the future with a woman and her children. Le Semeur atop a pillar embodies agriculture and production. L’Ancêtre represents the past and tradition. Le Mineur represents coal mining. Le Forgeron embodies metallurgy.
The high reliefs represent the four elements. L’Industrie symbolizes fire. It depicts workers handling a crucible with molten glass. La Mine symbolizes earth. It shows miners extracting a coal seam. La Moisson symbolizes air. It shows a family harvesting. Le Port symbolizes water. It represents dockworkers at work. The monument’s location is symbolic. It stands near the basin where barges unloaded goods. These goods came from mines and factories via the Charleroi canal. They also came from the port of Antwerp.