Exploration of Antwerpen, a city plunged into the legacy of Rubens

Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limit all rights reserved. Antwerp Cathedral with a statue of Rubens in the foreground. (Anita Rao Kashi) Summary The legacy of the legendary painter can be found all over the Belgian city, like most classic European cities, the beating heart of Antwerp is the Great Markt or the Market Square and its surrounding areas. Of course, the Belgian city’s claim to fame as the global pivot for diamonds is undisputed, but this facet is quite low key and the Antwerp Diamond District is a loose -tuned square mile glittering stores and less visible facilities for cutting, polishes and trading. Less subtle is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp Cathedral, of which the 15th century Gothic peak towers act over the central part of the city and act as the perfect marker to orient yourself. The cathedral is located in a large open area, and the peak rises by more than 400 m; It is presumably one of a twin set, but the other is never completed. But I am looking for Antwerp’s other diamond, or at least the legacy, and I find it on the walls of the cathedral and on special pedestals. Distributed through the cathedral are works of art. Of particular importance, three were done by the legendary 17th -century Baroque -Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens -the lifting of the cross, the descent of the cross and the assumption of the Virgin Mary. My guide says the first two were stolen twice. First by Napolean during the Napoleanic Wars, who was transported to the Louvre in Paris and returned in 1815. Almost a century later, in 1914, both were once again seized by the Imperial German army and housed in Berlin before returning in the late 1918. The rise of the cross is a striking Triptych, which turned off the pole, almost lifeless figure, to the cross. The contrast to the boldly colored men trying to lift the cross is haunting. The descent of the cross has fewer characters, but it seems that sadness and sadness in waves are coming from their bodies. The assumption of the virgin is completely different, done in a combination of pastel shades and cheerful colors and depicting the upliftment of Mary by angels. Rubens, it seems, is an integral part of the city and is everywhere in Antwerp. Nearly three dozen landmarks are associated with Rubens and his associates, and there are led and self -guided hikes to see them all. If there is one place as important as the cathedral, it is a Ruben’s house or Rubens House, built in the early 1600s. The house is located in the Pailper area and is designed by Rubens itself and is modeled to look like an Italian villa or Palazzo. Somewhere in the middle of the 20th century it was turned into a museum. The residence is now closed for renovation until 2030, but the gallery has an extensive collection, including its self -portraits. A little rubens can also be experienced firsthand in the Baroque garden and its studio. On the way back to the Market Square, I come across rubens everywhere: on chocolates, on fridge magnets and cups, and his paintings on tea towels and postcards. Near the cathedral is the statue of Rubens. And in accordance with his reputation, it is a little bigger than life. Above him, the sky is a patchwork of blue with the setting sun that ceases the pair of cotton clouds of bright pink and orange. Accidents feel a bit like the background in his paintings. Obviously, everything is about Rubens. Anita Rao Kashi is an independent journalist in Bengaluru. Catch all the business news, market news, news reports and latest news updates on Live Mint. Download the Mint News app to get daily market updates. More Topics #Belgium #Travel Read Next Story