{"id":48688,"date":"2021-07-31T19:11:57","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T17:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/topa.be\/st-andries\/beschrijving\/sak-the-current-high-altar\/"},"modified":"2021-08-02T18:27:10","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T16:27:10","slug":"huidig-hoofdaltaar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/topa.be\/en\/st-andries\/beschrijving\/huidig-hoofdaltaar\/","title":{"rendered":"SAK The current high altar"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Antwerp's St Andrew's Church, a revelation.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The current high altar: not a mere table<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Saint Andrew's Church, Antwerp - The current main altar<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Baroque main altar is the church\u2019s absolute eye-catcher. Spanning the entire width of the chancel, the altar functions as a giant display for the theatrical \u2018live performance\u2019 of a white marble sculptural group. And yet, this monumental piece by Peeter Verbruggen the Elder (1665) and Willem Ignatius Kerricx (around 1729) was not designed for this church, but for the St. Bernard\u2019s Abbey in Hemiksem. Following the abbey\u2019s dissolution at the time of French Revolutionary Rule, the altar was bought in 1805 and shipped via the river Scheldt. Due to financial difficulties, however, the altar\u2019s actual re-erection was postponed until 1807-1809. Contributions were needed; at a wedding party, parish priest Franciscus De Meulder even succeeded in rallying senior French officials to the cause.<\/p>\n

As it happened, the giant colossus fitted the space of the new location to perfection \u2013 almost. Hindered by the apse\u2019s ribs, the big angels, which originally held the crown, descended to lower places in the construction and were replaced by smaller, suspended angels. Because the choir is narrower here the side porticoes had to be moved slightly diagonally forward, and, in the absence of a choir at the back, the statues were placed against a partition. The bottom part of the altar was completed in marble, but the flaky paint reveals that the cornice\u2019s top part was made of (marbled) wood: a matter of bearing strength, financial and otherwise.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The sculptural group of the Assumption of Mary
and both founders of the Order<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In characteristic fashion for the last phase of Baroque altar construction in the Southern Netherlands, seemingly living people participate as \u2018extras\u2019 in the action \u2013 as seen here, in the work of Willem Ignatius Kerricx (around 1729). Mary\u2019s Assumption is in the spotlight \u2013 Mary, the essential model for every human being who, en route<\/em> in this earthly life, looks forward to the final homecoming in the heavenly House of the Father.<\/p>\n

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While several apostles (A<\/strong>) and Mary Magdalene (MM<\/strong>) express their amazement about Mary\u2019s transition into afterlife, angels (E<\/strong>) are carrying Mary (M<\/strong>) upwards, in the movement of her assumption. Their goal can be found above the altar. As Christians believe, God makes himself known to human beings in three \u2018forms\u2019: as Creator of all life (God the Father), as a tangible human being (Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son) and as the power of inspiration (God the Holy Spirit). Thus, we find the \u2018Holy Trinity\u2019 symbolized by a triangle, in which appears the Hebrew four-letter word (or tetragram) for God: \u201cYHWH<\/strong>\u201d. An immense gilded halo radiates outwards, its long shoots pointing down and carrying Mary along in divine glory.<\/p>\n

Above the canopy\u2019s crown, stars allude to Mary as the Woman from the Book of Revelation (12:1): \u201c\u2026 clothed with the sun, \u2026 and on her head a crown of twelve stars.\u201d<\/em> With some effort, the visitor may discern three signs of the zodiac set in relief on the gilded frame of the canopy. They are set chronologically: to the left, Leo; in the centre, Virgo; to the right, Libra. This is not coincidental: 15 August corresponds with the period of the constellation of Virgo!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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In the side porticoes, two large figures remind us of the altar\u2019s origins. To the left is St. Bernard (B<\/strong>) (1090-1153; commemoration day: 20 August), co-founder of the order of the Cistercians-Bernardines, which was named after him. St. Bernard was the first abbot of Clairvaux, hence the abbot\u2019s staff; the beehive, on the other hand, alludes to the saint\u2019s nickname, \u2018Doctor Mellifluus<\/em>\u2019 (the one whose teaching is as sweet as honey), which Bernard gained from his popular sermons. In pointing at Mary (M<\/strong>) \u2013 as does his counterpart \u2013 the saint expresses more than a gesture in line with the composition. Bernard was particularly fond of Mary, and several prayers bear witness to this.<\/p>

To the right is the holy Robert of Molesme (R<\/strong>) (1027-1110; commemoration day: 29 April). Founder of the Cistercian order and co-founder of C\u00eeteaux Abbey, Robert carries a scale model of a church and an abbot\u2019s staff as his attributes. The ring in his hand (partly broken off, by accident) refers to the Marian legend alleging that his mother was given a ring for him by Mary, before his birth. The ring served as a sign of an intense spiritual relationship, and Robert(\u2018s statue) would present it to his fellow brothers in Hemiksem by way of inspiration, as a way to soften the yoke (carried by the small angel to the right) of monastery life. Indeed, Jesus too said: \u201cTake my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.\u201d<\/em> (Matt 11:29,30)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The predella with The Last Supper <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The bottom part of the predella dates back all the way to 1665 and was created by Peeter Verbruggen the Elder. Clothed in an aureole, Jesus sits in the centre and puts his left hand on John\u2019s shoulder to His left; to His right, Peter is given the place of honour. The disciples\u2019 surprise is visible (Matt 26:22, Mk 14:19, Lk 22:23); Jesus has just told them that one among them will betray Him. Holding a filled purse, Judas already sits apart from the company, to the left at the end of the table, and recoils from Jesus\u2019s revealing words.<\/p>\n

The table has been set with plates of bread, knives and large salt cellars, as per 17th<\/sup>-century custom. To allow for more visibility, the table top has been purposefully turned and stands quite slanted (and yet, nothing slides off the table\u2026). The Easter Lamb on the dish, served according to the customs of Jewish Easter celebration, alludes to Jesus as the new Paschal Lamb. To the left and right, a dish of bread and a Baroque cup (of wine) refer to the Eucharistic gifts. In front, beautiful wine and water pitchers are in a saucer. In the right corner, a servant crouches, and under the tablecloth, a large dog is chewing on a bone.<\/p>\n

The Last Supper functions as a key event in the evolution from Judaism to Christianity. That evening, Jesus and his disciples celebrated Jewish Easter, remembering the exodus from Egypt. In allusion, a disciple points at the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments in the background, far left. For Christians, this sign of the legal covenant between God and the chosen Jewish people merely constitutes the \u2018Old Covenant\u2019. Curiously, though, these tablets do not depict the ten numbers of the commandments, but rather depict Moses, to whom the law was given.<\/p>\n

In the background, far right, a counterpart for the stone tablets can be found: an open book between two chandeliers referring to the Eucharistic celebration, which was instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper: for Christians, and Catholics in particular, this signifies the \u2018covenant of love\u2019, alias the New Covenant, between God and all humanity.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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De predella \u2013 detail: het oogsten van de druiven<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

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De predella \u2013 detail: het oogsten van het graan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

In the white marble reliefs, which stand out against the black marble framing of the pillar-bases, an enthusiastic crowd of delightful cherubs and putti is offering liturgical vessels. Note that many of the angels have butterfly wings, no birds\u2019 feathers. From left to right, these are the scenes and objects depicted: (a) The harvest of grapes and wheat: with a [cut off] bundle of stalks of wheat. (b) The vials for water and wine, and a carillon with three bells (visible) for consecration. (c) The so-called \u2018washing basin\u2019 (lavabo) for the ritual washing of hands; in the detailed, driven rim of the saucer, we note four small cherub heads. An angel is pouring water into the basin. The ritual takes its name from the corresponding Latin prayer: \u201cLavabo inter innocentes manus meas.<\/em>\u201d (\u201cI wash my hands in innocence.\u201d) (d) An angel presses grapes into a gorgeous Baroque chalice. (P) Predella.<\/p>\n

(e) Stalks of wheat in bundles, an ingredient of the wafer. (f) Blowing the charcoal, an angel holds up the censer by its long chains. This panel serves as counterpart to (b). In other words, the opposites of water and fire serve as each other\u2019s complement\u2026 (g) A missal with a ribbon bookmark, two locks and a [most rudimentary] engraving serving as the text\u2019s first impetus. In addition: a book cushion on which the IHS monogram has been embroidered. (h) The supply of harvested grapes and ears of grain, in a large basket on the angel\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Behind both saints\u2019 statues, transparent stained glass windows are blocked from view by the walls. These windows ensure that light enters the church\u2019s inner space in a wondrously beautiful way. As such, the central sculptural group is lit from the southern window from morning till noon; in the afternoon, the ensemble is lit from the side aisle. A beam of light can then be seen gliding gradually upwards, moving from Bernard\u2019s side at the left, across Mary and further to the right; by nightfall, the beam touches the heavenly aureole. Every sunny summer day, this miracle is performed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe ancient high altar: Saint Andrew in the place of honour <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChoir and Chancel<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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