The artwork known as The Scream or The Pregnant Woman, which serves as the central feature of the memorial for those who perished on July 25, 1797, has remained in a workshop for 13 years, having been taken there by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council for restoration.
Now that the restoration has been finalised, the municipal Heritage department is working on relocating the sculpture to a different site, including the location currently occupied by the propeller of the Cruiser Canarias, at the entrance to the North Pier.
The Nuestro Patrimonio Association disclosed yesterday that this sculpture, which honours the events of 25th July, commemorating the city’s triumph over British Admiral Horatio Nelson’s attack, is one of the most renowned pieces by the sculptor Manuel Bethencourt Santana, who received the Canary Islands Fine Arts and Interpretation Award in 2008 and passed away in 2012. However, the piece was removed from public display in 2011 and subsequently restored in the Bronzo foundry and sculpture workshop, “where it was soon overlooked by the City Council.”
The association stated in a press release that, “it has been quite embarrassing for so many years, due to the unjustifiable and irresponsible neglect of an artistic creation that is an integral part of the municipality’s cultural heritage, representing a significant moment in the city’s history that deserves remembrance.”
It also noted that the sculpture is still awaiting return to the public domain, which has yet to take place. For these reasons, Nuestro Patrimonio urged the Chicharrero City Council, through the appropriate councillor, to promptly take the necessary actions to reposition the artwork in another location within the city.
This entity believes it should return to its original site, near the Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena, and the passenger terminal at the capital’s port. However, councillor Javier Rivero from the Santa Cruz City Council’s Heritage Department informed DIARIO DE AVISOS yesterday that there are intentions to move it to the entrance of the North Dock, at the roundabout leading to the former jet-foil terminal. He added, “talks must begin with the Port Authority” to facilitate this relocation.
The bronze sculpture depicts a mother in anguish and despair over the loss of her son. It was created in 1997 under municipal commission to mark the second centenary of the unsuccessful English assault.
The monument, inaugurated on 24 July 1998, was removed years later from its original setting due to construction activities on the coastal road of the capital. Initially, the structure comprised a reinforced concrete base, which was enclosed on the side facing the city by a glass enclosure housing medallions in high relief, depicting General Gutiérrez and Admiral Nelson, alongside two cartouches featuring significant excerpts from the letters exchanged between them. The city’s coat of arms, awarded following the Gesta, was displayed on the base.
Bethencourt’s creation ultimately included the two medallions, the aforementioned coat of arms, and a large female figure atop the base.
