This white concrete sculpture in front of the Groningen Central Station is called
't Peerd van Ome Loeks, local dialect for
Het paard van oom Lucas, or
Uncle Lucas' Horse in English. It is regarded as one of Groningens symbols, that got its name from a local folk song with the same title. The sculpture was created by Jan de Baat in 1959.
Strangely enough it isn't really clear who 'uncle Lucas' was, and/or who invented the song. Most likely it was named after Lukas (Loeks) van Hemmen, who owned a pub as well as his own stables. After his famous racing horse Appelon died and the horse butcher came to collect the dead animal, some boys apparently sang the words:
't Peerd van Ome Loeks is dood' ('Uncle Lucas' horse is dead')
It's great to see public art. Tom The Backroads Traveller
BeantwoordenVerwijderenA strange story for a curious sculpture!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenBrought back nice summer memories...seeing the station building again.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWhen I was little I stayed with friends of my parents in Paterswolde.
See a pure white sculpture is a rare sight indeed.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenReminds me of a sculpture of a horse's head near me that is all white, which gives me an idea. . . ;-)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenQuite a striking sculpture!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenA very striking piece of art. If your horse dies I guess you might as well sing a song about it.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenInteresting story behind this sculpture!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenVery nice pictures!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenEen beroemd paard inderdaad. Ik vraag me af hoe ze dat beeld zo wit houden. Of is de lucht in Groningen zo schoon?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAn interesting sculpture, Marleen, white and clean !
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI visited this place many years ago, but I don't remember if this sculpture was already there or not...
Really nice sculpture.
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