Fierce struggle frozen in bronze awaits us. Here at the crossroads of Avenue Louis Bertrand and Avenue Paul Deschanel stands The battle of the tigers and snakes Sculpture. This isn’t just any old light post. It is a relic from the Ghent World Fair of 1913.
Jacques de Lalaing designed this impressive sculpture. He was a Belgian sculptor with a penchant for symbolic works. Lalaing started working on the design in 1887. His goal was to showcase the exciting possibilities of electric lighting in public spaces. Imagine the awe this sculpture inspired. Electricity was still a relatively new and mysterious force back then.
The battle of the tigers and snakes depicts exactly what the name says. Tigers are locked in a deadly fight with snakes. This dramatic scene wraps around the base of the electricity mast. It showcases Lalaing’s talent for capturing movement and emotion in bronze.
Originally, Lalaing envisioned The battle of the tigers and snakes Sculpture gracing the Grand Place. He imagined it standing proudly in front of the town hall. However, the city fathers rejected it. They deemed it unsuitable for the Grand Place’s elegant atmosphere. One can only imagine how different the Grand Place would look today.
Undeterred, The battle of the tigers and snakes Sculpture found its place at the Ghent World Expo in 1913. It was a striking example of public art and technological innovation. After the expo, in 1926, the sculpture was gifted to Schaerbeek. It has been here ever since.
Lalaing’s dedication to realism is noteworthy. He did not just rely on sketches from the Antwerp Zoo. He actually bought a tiger to study its anatomy and movements up close. This commitment to detail is evident in the sculpture’s powerful forms.
The battle of the tigers and snakes is more than a light post. It is a symbol of a bygone era. An era when art and industry were intertwined. A testament to the vision of Jacques de Lalaing. It is a reminder that even rejected ideas can find their place in the world. The battle of the tigers and snakes continues to fascinate passersby. It sparks curiosity about Brussels’ hidden history.