Schoorsteenmantel in het stadhuis van Antwerpen, toegeschreven aan Pieter Coecke van Aelst 1855 - 1885

This photograph shows a chimney mantle in Antwerp's City Hall, and it may have been made by Pieter Coecke van Aelst. The photograph captures the rich carving work of the fireplace, which is decorated with figures and heraldic crests. City Hall was built in the 16th century. Antwerp was one of Europe's most important commercial centers at the time, and the City Hall was meant to reflect the town's riches and authority. The sculptures are full of classical allusions, aligning the city with the grandeur of the Roman Empire. At the same time, the crests assert local power. The fireplace would have been the backdrop for important civic events, so it was both beautiful and made a political statement. The image is a reminder of the complex ways that art is woven into social and political life. It’s also a reminder that our understanding of art is always shaped by the social and institutional context. By researching the history of Antwerp and its institutions, we can learn more about what this fireplace meant to the people who used it.