Divine Interiors. Experience churches in the age of Rubens.

Masterpieces in perspective

The 16th century was one of the Catholic Church’s most turbulent periods in history. In 1566, the Iconoclastic Fury raged through Antwerp, which is when images of saints were banned in churches. Artists devoted themselves to a new style and painted the portrait of churches, resulting in divine interiors. These masterpieces in perspective from Hans Vredeman de Vries and Hendrik van Steenwijck, inter alia, grant a unique insight into daily life in Antwerp’s churches 400 years ago.

The church: prayer and meeting house

The exhibition shows what St Charles Borromeo Church looked like before the great fire, how the Cathedral was remodelled after the Calvinist regime and how it was used to network, party, gossip, beg and even play. A church was not only a place of worship, but also a meeting place. And the architecture painter – photographer before his time – was the privileged witness.

Church interiors to music

Especially for the ‘Divine Interiors’, music ensemble graindelavoix has recorded new work. It is performed for the first time at the exhibition and plays, in fact, an essential role in the experience of it.

Walk through the city

The exhibition continues in the streets of Antwerp. An app guides you through the city and takes you along six Antwerp churches, two of which disappeared over the course of time: the Baroque church of the Discalced Carmelites and St Walburga Church. At these locations, the ancient churches are brought back to life in a 3D reconstruction.

Locations trail

Cathedral of Our Lady
www.dekathedraal.be

• Address: Handschoenmarkt, 2000 Antwerp
• Opening hours:
  • Monday - Friday: from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
  • Saturday: from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
  • Sundays and bank holidays: from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

St Charles Borromeo Church
www.mkaweb.be

• Address: Hendrik Conscienceplein, 2000 Antwerp
• Opening hours:
  • Monday - Saturday: from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
  • Sundays and bank holidays: open for worship only

St James’ Church
www.mkaweb.be

• Address: Lange Nieuwstraat 73-75, 2000 Antwerp
• Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

St Paul’s Church
www.mkaweb.be

• Address: Veemarkt 14, 2000 Antwerp
• Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.