Allosaurus and Stegosaurus iconic dinosaurs
Alongside Plantage Middenlaan stand two dinosaur sculptures created by zookeeper Boudewijn Bollee. They are an iconic sight, and have been an integral part of ARTIS and the Plantage neighbourhood for more than sixty years.
Boudewijn Bollee, an ARTIStic zookeeper.
Reptile keeper and sculptor
Artwork in detail
- made in
- 1954, 1953
- created by
- Boudewijn Bollee
- made of
- polyester, clay mesh, chicken wire, rebar, cement
Artistic legacy
In addition to his work as a zookeeper, Bollee was a passionate sculptor. He used his spare time to create detailed sculptures of both modern reptile species and dinosaurs. His sculptures, including the iconic Allosaurus and Stegosaurus, have since become an essential and much-loved part of ARTIS Zoo.
Extinct vision of dinosaurs
Our knowledge about dinosaurs has grown considerably in recent decades, as a result of which Bollee's sculptures are now no longer accurate. For example, the Allosaurus did not stand upright, and the Stegosaurus did not drag its tail on the ground. Still, these sculptures remain a fascinating representation of the views held about these prehistoric animals in Bollee’s time.