Artwork

Sketches in Belgium and Germany, Second Series: No. 26 - Tomb of Rubens, St. Jacques, Antwerp

Sketches in Belgium and Germany, Second Series: No. 26 - Tomb of Rubens, St. Jacques, Antwerp is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis Haghe. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1845, this lithographic print by Louis Haghe records the tomb of the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens as it appears in the Church of St James in Antwerp. The image captures a dimly lit interior, emphasizing the carved altar, a robed statue, and a small gathering of figures observed in subdued, early‑Victorian attire.

Subject & Meaning

The work centers on Rubens’s burial site, presenting the tomb as a focal point of reverence within the church. By portraying a kneeling cleric and onlookers, Haghe underscores the ritual respect afforded to the artist, while the quiet composition invites contemplation of legacy and memory.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the print demonstrates Haghe’s skill in rendering chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model the stone carvings and fabric folds. The delicate line work and subtle tonal gradations reflect his background in watercolor, lending the scene a nuanced atmospheric quality.

History & Provenance

Louis Haghe, originally from the Netherlands, established his career in Britain, co‑founding the influential Day & Haghe lithographic firm in London. The print forms part of his “Sketches in Belgium and Germany, Second Series,” a collection produced during his travels through continental Europe in the mid‑19th century.

Context

The depiction aligns with a broader Victorian interest in documenting historic sites and artistic heritage. By choosing Rubens’s tomb, Haghe connects the 19th‑century audience with the Baroque master’s enduring cultural significance, situating the work within contemporary antiquarian and travel literature.