Editing Manneken Pis (section)

===17th–19th centuries===
[[File:Gravure Manneken-Pis.jpg|thumb|left|upright|''View of the Fountain of Manneken Pis'', etching by [[Jacobus Harrewijn]] from ''Les délices des Pays-Bas'', 1697]]
[[File:Mannekin Pis (8293232485).jpg|thumb|upright|''Manneken Pis'' in its [[rocaille]]-style niche, fitted in 1770, appears to be smaller than in its original setting.]]

During its history, ''Manneken Pis'' faced many hazards. It survived undamaged the [[Bombardment of Brussels (1695)|bombardment of Brussels]] of 1695 by the French army, but the pipes having been affected, it could not deliver its water for some time. A [[pamphlet]] published the same year recounts this episode. This text is the oldest attesting that ''Manneken Pis'' had become "an object of glory appreciated by all and renowned throughout the world".{{sfn|Culot|Hennaut|Demanet|Mierop|1992|p=77–79}} It is also the first time that it served as a symbol for the people of Brussels. It is also traditionally said that after the bombardment, it was triumphantly placed again on its pedestal. On that occasion, the following passage from the [[Bible]] was inscribed above its head: {{lang|la|In petra exaltavit me, et nunc exaltavi caput meum super inimicos meos}} ("The Lord placed me on a stone base, and now I raise my head above my enemies").{{sfn|Des Marez|1918|p=143}}{{sfn|De Roose|1999|p=23}}

As shown by an engraving by [[Jacobus Harrewijn]], dating from 1697,<ref>''Les délices des Pays-Bas'', Brussels, 1697. Visible in the Brussels City Museum.</ref> the fountain was no longer located on the street, but in a recess at the corner of the {{lang|fr|Rue du Chêne|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Eikstraat|italic=no}} and the {{lang|fr|Rue de l'Étuve|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Stoofstraat|italic=no}} and was protected by a gate.{{sfn|Patigny|2019|p=96–97}} In 1770, the column and the double rectangular basin disappeared; the statue was integrated into a new decor, in the form of a [[Petit Granit|blue stone]] niche in [[rocaille]] style, originating from another dismantled fountain of Brussels.{{sfn|Des Marez|1918|p=144}}{{sfn|Mardaga|1989|p=263}}{{sfn|De Roose|1999|p=22}} The water simply flowed through a grating in the ground, which was replaced with a basin in the 19th century. In its new setting, ''Manneken Pis'' gives the impression of being smaller than in its original layout.{{sfn|Des Marez|1918|p=143}}

The whole structure is protected by [[wrought iron]] railings,{{sfn|Mardaga|1989|p=263}}{{sfn|Heymans|2003}} the last version of which dates from 1851.{{sfn|Heymans|2003}} The latter prevented access to water, relegating the fountain to a decorative and symbolic role. It is also the case, around the same time, of the other fountains in Brussels. This correlates with efforts by the [[City of Brussels]], starting in 1855, to allow for the distribution of [[water supply|drinking water]] in homes.{{sfn|Deligne|2005}}

The figure has repeatedly been the object of theft or attempted theft. Legend has it that the statue was removed in 1745 by English soldiers and found in the Flemish town of [[Geraardsbergen]] ({{langx|fr|Grammont|link=no}}).{{sfn|Des Marez|1918|p=143}}{{sfn|De Roose|1999|p=22}}{{sfn|Patigny|2019|p=98}} As a sign of their appreciation, the people of Brussels gave this city a replica of the statue.{{sfn|De Roose|1999|p=22}} A second attempted theft was allegedly made in 1747 by a group of French [[grenadier]]s stationed in Brussels.{{sfn|Heymans|2003|p=12}}{{sfn|Patigny|2019|p=98}} The population rebelled against this deed and threatened a bloody revenge. To calm things down, the [[List of French monarchs|King of France]], [[Louis XV]], offered a gentleman's gown of [[brocade]], embroidered with gold, to ''Manneken Pis''. He also authorised the statue to carry the sword, and decorated it with the [[Order of Saint Louis|Cross of St. Louis]].{{sfn|Mardaga|1989|p=263}}{{sfn|De Roose|1999|p=20–22}}{{sfn|De Vries|2003|p=51–54}}

The statue was stolen in 1817 by the freed convict Antoine Licas or Lycas. The perpetrator was heavily punished; he was condemned to forced labour for life, and was first tied for an hour to [[stocks]] on the [[Grand-Place|Grand-Place/Grote Markt]].{{sfn|De Roose|1999|p=22}}{{sfn|De Vries|2003|p=51–54}} The original statue was broken into eleven pieces during this abduction and was restored by a specialised [[welder]], under the supervision of sculptor [[Gilles-Lambert Godecharle]].{{sfn|Patigny|2019|p=98–99}} The pieces were matched and used to make a mould in which the bronze statue was poured.{{sfn|Mardaga|1989|p=263}}{{sfn|De Roose|1999|p=22}}{{sfn|Patigny|2019|p=98–99}} The statue was then screwed onto a new [[copper]] base marked "1620 – REST 1817".{{sfn|Patigny|2019|p=99–100}}