The Citizens of Antwerp bring back to Saint Norbert the Monstrance and other Sacred Vessels that they had hidden from Tankelin

De Vos employs a balanced composition typical of early 17th‑century Flemish painting, with a clear foreground of figures and a receding cityscape. His handling of oil paint renders textures of fabric, metal, and stone with fine detail, while the lighting subtly highlights the gilt monstrance against the muted tones of the surrounding crowd.

The painting has remained in Antwerp since its creation and is now part of the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. Its provenance reflects the city’s long-standing interest in documenting local religious events and the patronage of civic institutions.

The work reflects Antwerp’s turbulent early‑17th‑century history, when sacred objects were often hidden to protect them from conflict or iconoclastic threats. By depicting their safe return, de Vos underscores the resilience of the city’s faith community and the role of Saint Norbert as a protective patron.