Koning Leopold I in The Fine Arts Museum of Brussels, Belgium

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This stunning marble sculpture showcases Belgian artist Guillaume Geefs' masterful portrayal of Leopold I of Belgium (1790 - 1865). A German prince by birth, Leopold I ascended to become the inaugural King of the Belgians following the nation's independence in 1830. He ruled with distinction from July 1831 until his passing in December 1865, establishing the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha - a lineage that would eventually be claimed by all subsequent Belgian monarchs. After Greece secured its independence in 1821-32, Leopold was offered the throne but politely declined, deeming it too precarious. Instead, he accepted the kingship of the newly formed Kingdom of Belgium in 1831. The Belgian government extended this offer due to his impressive diplomatic connections with European royal households. Moreover, as a British-backed candidate, Leopold wasn't beholden to other powers like France, which were feared to have territorial ambitions that might destabilize the European balance of power established by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. On July 21, 1831, Leopold was coronated in Belgium, an event commemorated annually as Belgian National Day. His reign was marked by Dutch attempts to reclaim Belgium and subsequent internal divisions between liberals and Catholics. As a Protestant, Leopold leaned liberal and actively promoted economic modernization, playing a pivotal role in the establishment of Belgium's first railway in 1835 and subsequent industrialization. The ambiguities within the Belgian Constitution enabled him to expand the monarch's powers during his tenure. He also effectively thwarted the spread of the Revolutions of 1848 into Belgium. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative spearheaded by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a comprehensive digital archive of fully printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have intriguing items nearby and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to discover how you can participate.