Houten retabel in de Sint-Annakerk te Oudergem before 1889

Editor: This is a photograph of a wooden retable, created sometime before 1889. It's currently in the Sint-Annakerk in Oudergem, and shows scenes of figures arranged in what looks to be a gothic architectural setting. The whole image has an ethereal, dreamlike quality... I am fascinated by it. What can you tell me? Curator: Oh, this piece whispers stories, doesn't it? Look at the intricate detail, each fold in the garments, the gentle tilt of the heads. It speaks of reverence, of a deep connection to the spiritual world. Have you considered how the artist uses height and depth? Editor: Not really, tell me more! Curator: Notice how the main figures are elevated? The spatial hierarchy suggests a divine order, almost a theatrical presentation of sacred events. But also, the faces, their expressions… do they remind you of anyone? I sometimes wonder if the artist was inspired by everyday people. Editor: That's a really interesting thought. The faces do seem quite individual! But it still retains a distinctly medieval style. Curator: Precisely. There's this delicate balance between the real and the ideal, the earthly and the divine, which defines the piece. These objects were a key part of a rich spiritual life for people, then and now. Does imagining how these things have echoed across time stir anything in you? Editor: Yes, it certainly does. I appreciate the reminder that this image doesn’t only capture a piece of art but a moment in faith. It bridges past and present in an evocative way! Curator: And maybe reminds us to look a little deeper, beyond the surface, into the heart of things? A lesson that art and life both continuously offer, I suspect.