Sculpture of Anton Van Wilderode in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

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On the corner of College Street beside The 'Recollettenkerk' stands a bronze statue honoring Anton Van Wilderode, famous priest-poet and writer, also known as CyrilCoupe, who lived from 1918 to 1998. As a teacher at The Recollettenkerk, he had a profound influence on numerous generations of intellectuals worldwide. As a translator of Virgil, the poet, writer, lecturer, and assistant to the Iron Pilgrimage and local school radio, Anton Van Wilderode became an outstanding personality in the Dutch region. The sculptor Wilfried Pas depicts the poet sitting at a desk with a whimsical expression but a sharp glance directed towards the market. In his left hand, he holds his beloved cigar. Anton van Wilderode had a distinctive presence, not as a heroic figure in Flemish literature but as an intelligent and sensitive man. Anton Van Wilderode passed away while this sculpture was being created; the artist met the writer once during his final year of life, so for further development of the representation, he worked solely from photographs. Wilfried Pas employs a distinctive style that was revolutionary in Belgium at the time. By using the silicone mold, he could control the form with greater ease. The resulting image appears to be a sketch in clay, making it easy to forget that this lifelike portrait is actually cast in bronze. The figure rests on a rough rock formation emerging from it like a Rodin or Michelangelo sculpture. This classical motif gets a surprisingly modern allure when combined with the contrast between raw and finished elements. The contract leads to a work that is very expressive and recognizable. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which creates a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.