-
1 of 253523 objects
The Town Hall, Brussels c.1920-2
Oil on canvas | 60.1 x 50.1 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 406381
-
Sophus Théobald Levinsen (1869-1943), born in Copenhagen, was a pupil of the French painter Diogène Maillart. He worked mainly in the region around Martigues and also in Paris. He exhibited his work at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français, of which he became a member in 1909.
The east wing of the Town Hall in Brussels was built from 1402 to 1420, along with a small belfry, under the supervision of Jacob van Thienen. A second wing was completed by 1449, Charles the Bold having laid the first stone in 1444. The right wing was constructed by Guillaume de Voghel. The Brabantine Gothic tower, designed by Jan van Ruysbroek, court architect of Philip the Good, replaced the older belfry by 1455. Reproductions of sculptures representing saints, nobles, and allegroical figures decorate the facade; the original sculptures are kept in the city museum on the other side of the Grand Place.
In this view of the Town Hall in Brussels, with its arcaded facade broken in the centre by a gothic style tower culminating in crocketted pinnacles; to the right, the Guildhalls, partly in shadow; beneath, townsfolk in the Grand Place, with a horse & cart passing flower stalls. This painting forms a pair with RCIN 406380.Provenance
Probably presented to King George V and Queen Mary by the King and Queen of the Belgians, on the occasion of their state visit to Brussels, May 1922
-
Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
60.1 x 50.1 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
72.8 x 62.9 x 4.5 cm (frame, external)