The Elephant (De Olifant)

About this artwork.

The Elephant, which carries a little boy on its back, is as old as the neighbourhood in which the sculpture is situated. At the time, the artwork was a gift from the “Maatschappij tot verbetering van woningtoestanden” ('Society for the improvement of housing conditions') to the Municipality of Groningen. Around 1960, the housing shortage in the city was great and the Society was therefore very pleased with the De Wijert home building plan, which for many people meant an enormous improvement in their housing.

In winter, The Elephant is kept in storage by the Municipality due to the risk of freezing.

There are various works of art by Wladimir de Vries in the city; all of them women or animals. The most famous are Agriculture and Cattle Breeding (Landbouw en Veeteelt), or Bare Bet (Blote Bet) on the Herebrug bridge; The Foal (Het Veulen) on the Radesingel and The Bison (De Wisent) in the Noorderplantsoen. His works – all figurative in nature – were created in the period from around 1950 to 1980. This was precisely the time when a predominant preference for abstract art began to emerge. But De Vries continued to work in his original, traditional style. His willfulness also characterises the sculptures which exude pride: the proud stance of Bare Bet, the triumphant trumpets of The Elephant.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Wladimir de Vries

• District
  De Wijert

• Year of creation
  1964

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture, Fountain

• Material
  Bronze

• Dimensions
  h 1,25 m