Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral of Our Lady is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. Today's see of the Diocese of Antwerp was started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been 'completed'. In Gothic
style, its architects were Jan
and Pieter Appelmans
. It contains a number of significant works by the Baroque
painter Peter Paul Rubens, as well as paintings by artists such as Otto van Veen
, Jacob de Backer
and Marten de Vos
.
The cathedral is on the list of World Heritage Sites.
In 1352, construction was begun on a new Our Lady’s church which would become the largest Gothic church in the Netherlands. In the beginning, it was to be provided with two towers of equal height. In 1521, after nearly 170 years, the new church of Our Lady was ready. The south tower reached only as far as the third string course.
During the night of 5–6 October 1533, the new church was largely gutted by fire. The completion of the second tower was therefore delayed, which led to its ultimate postponement. Moreover, the church only became cathedral of the bishopric of Antwerp in 1559 but lost this title again from 1801 to 1961, following the Concordat of 1801
. During the Iconoclasm
of 20 August 1566 (at the start of the Eighty Years' War), Protestants destroyed a large part of the cathedral interior. Later, when Antwerp came under Protestant administration in 1581, a number of artistic treasures were once again destroyed, removed or sold. The restoration of Roman Catholic authority came in 1585 with the fall of Antwerp.
In 1794 the French revolutionaries
that conquered the region plundered Our Lady’s Cathedral and inflicted serious damage. Around 1798, the French administration intended to demolish the building but after each blow, the cathedral was able to recover. In 1816, various important works of art were returned from Paris, including three Rubens masterpieces. And over the course of the 19th century, the church was completely restored and refurnished.
Between 1965 and 1993, a complete restoration took place.
, one of the most important composers of the 15th century, served here as a vicar-singer in 1443, and so did Jacob Obrecht
between 1492 and 1497. Organists who worked at the cathedral include Henry Bredemers
(1493–1501), who went on to become a teacher to Philip the Handsome
's children, and the renowned English composer John Bull
(1615–1628), who fled to Flanders
from his home country escaping justice. From 1725 to 1731 Willem de Fesch
served as Kapelmeester followed from 1731 to 1737 by Joseph-Hector Fiocco
. Lesser known, but locally important figures, such as Jacobus Barbireau
and Andreas Pevernage
, also worked at the cathedral.
. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
commented that the spire should be kept under glass, and Napoleon
compared the spire to Mechlin lace
. The largest bell in the tower requires 16 bell ringers.
The west portal features statues which include the missionary Saint Willibrordus
. He is thought to have spent time in Antwerp in the 7th century.
Two of these artworks were taken from the cathedral to France by Napoleon, The Raising of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross, but were returned to the cathedral in the 19th century.
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style, its architects were Jan
Jan Appelmans
Jan Appelmans was the first architect of the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, succeeded by his son Pieter Appelmans.- External links :*...
and Pieter Appelmans
Pieter Appelmans
Pieter Appelmans was one of the architects of the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, together with his father Jan Appelmans....
. It contains a number of significant works by the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
painter Peter Paul Rubens, as well as paintings by artists such as Otto van Veen
Otto van Veen
Otto van Veen, also known by his Latinized name Otto Venius or Octavius Vaenius, was a painter, draughtsman, and humanist active primarily in Antwerp and Brussels in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century...
, Jacob de Backer
Jacob de Backer
Jacob de Backer, also Jacques, was a Flemish Mannerist painter and draughtsman active in Antwerp between about 1571 and 1585.-Biography:According to the RKD he was born in Antwerp in c.1540/45 and died there c.1591-1600....
and Marten de Vos
Marten de Vos
Marten de Vos , also Maarten, was a leading Antwerp painter and draughtsman in the late sixteenth century.-Biography:Like Frans Floris, he travelled to Italy and adopted the mannerist style popular at the time. De Vos was also highly influenced by the colors of Venetian painting, and might have...
.
The cathedral is on the list of World Heritage Sites.
History
Where the cathedral now stands, there was a small chapel of Our Lady from the 9th to the 12th century, which acquired the status of parish church in 1124. During the course of the twelfth century, it was replaced by a larger Romanesque church (80 metres (262.5 ft) long and 42 metres (137.8 ft) wide).In 1352, construction was begun on a new Our Lady’s church which would become the largest Gothic church in the Netherlands. In the beginning, it was to be provided with two towers of equal height. In 1521, after nearly 170 years, the new church of Our Lady was ready. The south tower reached only as far as the third string course.
During the night of 5–6 October 1533, the new church was largely gutted by fire. The completion of the second tower was therefore delayed, which led to its ultimate postponement. Moreover, the church only became cathedral of the bishopric of Antwerp in 1559 but lost this title again from 1801 to 1961, following the Concordat of 1801
Concordat of 1801
The Concordat of 1801 was an agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, signed on 15 July 1801. It solidified the Roman Catholic Church as the majority church of France and brought back most of its civil status....
. During the Iconoclasm
Iconoclasm
Iconoclasm is the deliberate destruction of religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives. It is a frequent component of major political or religious changes...
of 20 August 1566 (at the start of the Eighty Years' War), Protestants destroyed a large part of the cathedral interior. Later, when Antwerp came under Protestant administration in 1581, a number of artistic treasures were once again destroyed, removed or sold. The restoration of Roman Catholic authority came in 1585 with the fall of Antwerp.
In 1794 the French revolutionaries
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
that conquered the region plundered Our Lady’s Cathedral and inflicted serious damage. Around 1798, the French administration intended to demolish the building but after each blow, the cathedral was able to recover. In 1816, various important works of art were returned from Paris, including three Rubens masterpieces. And over the course of the 19th century, the church was completely restored and refurnished.
Between 1965 and 1993, a complete restoration took place.
Musical life
At the beginning of the 15th century, the cathedral's choir started developing an active musical life, and as a result, the cathedral's importance in the history of music soon soared. Johannes OckeghemJohannes Ockeghem
Johannes Ockeghem was the most famous composer of the Franco-Flemish School in the last half of the 15th century, and is often considered the most...
, one of the most important composers of the 15th century, served here as a vicar-singer in 1443, and so did Jacob Obrecht
Jacob Obrecht
Jacob Obrecht was a Flemish composer of the Renaissance. He was the most famous composer of masses in Europe in the late 15th century, being eclipsed by only Josquin des Prez after his death.-Life:...
between 1492 and 1497. Organists who worked at the cathedral include Henry Bredemers
Henry Bredemers
Henry Bredemers was a South Netherlandish organist and music teacher...
(1493–1501), who went on to become a teacher to Philip the Handsome
Philip I of Castile
Philip I , known as Philip the Handsome or the Fair, was the first Habsburg King of Castile...
's children, and the renowned English composer John Bull
John Bull (composer)
John Bull was an English composer, musician, and organ builder. He was a renowned keyboard performer of the virginalist school and most of his compositions were written for this medium.-Life:...
(1615–1628), who fled to Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
from his home country escaping justice. From 1725 to 1731 Willem de Fesch
Willem de Fesch
Willem de Fesch was a virtuoso Dutch violone player and composer.The pupil of Karel Rosier, who was a Vice-Kapellmeister at Bonn, Willem later married his daughter, Maria Anna Rosier.De Fesch was active in Amsterdam between 1710 and 1725...
served as Kapelmeester followed from 1731 to 1737 by Joseph-Hector Fiocco
Joseph-Hector Fiocco
Joseph-Hector Fiocco , born in Brussels, was a Flemish composer and violinist of the high and late Baroque period....
. Lesser known, but locally important figures, such as Jacobus Barbireau
Jacobus Barbireau
Jacobus Barbireau was a Franco-Flemish Renaissance composer from Antwerp. He was considered to be a superlative composer both by his contemporaries and by modern scholars; however, his surviving output is small, and he died young.-Life:Until the 1960s he was confused with another somewhat older...
and Andreas Pevernage
Andreas Pevernage
Andreas Pevernage or Andries Pevernage was a Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. He was one of the minority of composers from the Low Countries who stayed in his native land throughout the turbulent period of religious conflict in the late 16th century, and was a skilled composer of...
, also worked at the cathedral.
Significant architectural details
The church's one finished spire is 123 metres (403.5 ft) high, the highest church tower in the BeneluxBenelux
The Benelux is an economic union in Western Europe comprising three neighbouring countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. These countries are located in northwestern Europe between France and Germany...
. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
commented that the spire should be kept under glass, and Napoleon
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
compared the spire to Mechlin lace
Mechlin lace
Mechlin lace is a bobbin lace originally produced in Mechelen. It is one of the best known Flemish laces. It is fine, transparent, and looks best when worn over another color. It was made in Mecheln, Antwerp, Lier and Turnhout...
. The largest bell in the tower requires 16 bell ringers.
The west portal features statues which include the missionary Saint Willibrordus
Willibrord
__notoc__Willibrord was a Northumbrian missionary saint, known as the "Apostle to the Frisians" in the modern Netherlands...
. He is thought to have spent time in Antwerp in the 7th century.
Major works of art
- The Raising of the CrossThe Elevation of the Cross (Rubens)The Elevation of the Cross is a triptych painting by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, completed in 1610-1611....
– Peter Paul Rubens - Assumption of the Virgin MaryAssumption of the Virgin Mary (Rubens)The Assumption of the Virgin Mary or Assumption of the Holy Virgin, is a painting by Peter Paul Rubens, completed in 1626 as an altarpiece for the high altar of the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, where it remains....
– Peter Paul Rubens - The Descent from the CrossThe Descent from the CrossThe Descent from the Cross is the central panel of a triptych painting by Peter Paul Rubens in 1612-1614. The painting is the second of Rubens's great altarpieces for the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium, along with The Elevation of the Cross. The subject was one Rubens returned to again and...
– Peter Paul Rubens
Burials
- Hubert WaelrantHubert WaelrantHubert Waelrant was a Flemish composer, teacher, and music editor of the Renaissance...
- Maol Muire Ó hÚigínn, Archbishop of TuamArchbishop of TuamThe Archbishop of Tuam is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church.-History:...
in Ireland (1586–1590) – died in Antwerp on his return to Ireland from Rome
Facts and figures
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