“ The Richly Decorated Renaissance Chimney ”
Antwerp – Town Hall of A., Chimney Piece in the. Cheminée a l’Hôtel de Ville d’Anvers. The large fireplace attributed to Pieter Coecke van Aelst I (teacher and father-in-law of Pieter Bruegel I; Aelst 1502 – Brussels 1550) in the office of the mayor. This sitting at the table with reading-desk and folios. At his side a messenger, before the fireplace petitioner with his hat in the hand. On each side of the chimney the portrait of a previous incumbent. Color lithograph by François Stroobant (Brussels 1819 – Elsene 1916). Inscribed: F. S. 1853 (in reverse) / F. Stroobant del. et lith. / C. Muquardt éditeur. / Imp. Simonau & Toovey, Bruxelles., otherwise (erroneously) in French, German, and English as below. 33.6 x 22.1 cm.
Boetticher II/2, 855. – “Belgian architectural painter … known by works and drawings to art history, especially of his homeland. Several drawings lithographed by himself.” – The designation here – The Marriage Hall at the Town of Antwerp – exchanged by mistake for the one of that sujet.
“ Of (Coeckes) activity as sculptor and architect only limited remnants have come down to us … the renaissance chimney richly decorated with caryatides, ornaments, and the bas-reliefs of Last Supper, Brazen Serpent, Crucifixion, and Abraham’s Sacrifice in the office of the mayor at Antwerp city hall which is attributed to him … ”
(Eduard Plietzsch, Thieme-Becker VII, p. 162).
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„ Sie haben wieder einmal in unverkennbarer Weise Ihr Unternehmen und Ihre Philosophie dargeboten. Ich wünsche Ihnen – beiden – auch in diesem Jahr viel Erfolg und Gefolgschaft von Ihren alten und hoffentlich auch neuen Kunden und natürlich auch persönliches Wohlergehen … “
(Herr D. L., 4. Januar 2010)