Artwork

Kaart van Brugge en de feodale gronden

Kaart van Brugge en de feodale gronden, by Joannes Lobberecht, oil, 1696
Kaart van Brugge en de feodale gronden, by Joannes Lobberecht, oil, 1696

Kaart van Brugge en de feodale gronden is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Joannes Lobberecht. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.

About this work

Overview

Kaart van Brugge en de feodale gronden is an oil painting created in 1696 by Joannes Lobberecht. The work combines cartographic and symbolic elements to represent the city of Bruges and its associated territories.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a circular-walled Bruges on a green background, divided by roads and canals, with prominent red buildings. A coat of arms featuring a bear and a lion is prominently displayed in the top-right corner, while a gold-framed document (with illegible text) appears in the bottom-left corner, suggesting administrative or historical significance.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the work's style bears resemblance to the known oeuvre of Joannes Lobberecht, characterized by detailed, realistic renderings of architectural and geographical features. The incorporation of a compass rose (top-left) and the map's layout reflect cartographic precision.

History & Provenance

Created in 1696, the painting is currently part of the collection at the Groeningemuseum. The presence of a small, illegible inscription in the bottom-right corner may offer clues to its history, though its significance remains unclear without deciphering.

Context

As a 17th-century map-painting, it reflects the era's interest in territorial representation and civic identity. The blend of cartography and heraldic symbols underscores Bruges' feudal connections and administrative boundaries.

Legacy

While specific influences on later works are not immediately evident, 'Kaart van Brugge' contributes to the historical record of Bruges' layout and symbolism during the late 17th century, offering insights for historians and art scholars alike.

Artist & collection

Artist

Joannes Lobberecht

A quiet hand mapped old Bruges in oil. Joannes Lobberecht rendered the city’s web of canals and cobbled lanes in precise, top-down views, blending cartography with gentle color. Two such works, from 1690 and 1714, let…

Groeningemuseum

Museum

Groeningemuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Groeningemuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.