Throughout history and across cultures, the legend of the unicorn continues to appear. This mythical creature symbolizes wealth, purity, strength, virginity, healing, abundance, and a fighting spirit. The unicorn gained an almost sacred status. In the Middle Ages, its so-called horns were traded as objects of immense value. They adorned the treasure rooms of kings and the curiosity cabinets of collectors, and even served as collateral in the financing of wars or the rebuilding of kingdoms.

But these horns were not remains of a mythical beast. They were, in fact, the elongated teeth of the narwhal, a toothed whale living in the Arctic seas. These tusks, steeped in mystery, were brought to Europe by hunters and traders and sold as “unicorn horns.” Their symbolism and apparent rarity gave them great value, making them a form of reliable collateral. It is a historic example of how imagination and belief can drive economic value.

For the entrance hall of Bank Degroof Petercam, I was commissioned to create an artwork. Inspired by this remarkable story, I chose to reveal the true unicorn. Stripped of myth, yet all the more meaningful because of it. The result is a narwhal skeleton, a tangible foundation of an age-old illusion. The skeleton stands as a symbol of belief, storytelling, and the things we choose to value.

In a world where banking is built on trust and symbolism, the narwhal skeleton reminds us how myth and reality intertwine. Together, they form the foundation of our economic systems.