Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium Research Paper

The facade of the church is obviously the most striking feature of the building as it demonstrates the grandeur of the period as well as the undying faith of those who commissioned and supported it (below). The legacy and history of the church as a Beguinage, a rather minimalist movement of very faithful and fascinating women who set themselves apart from secular life to live their faith. As when one views the facade he or she is stricken by how elaborate and detailed it is. The church facade demonstrates what might seem like a promise to the community with regard to the patronage it must have required to build.

There are also a couple of other striking features, elaborating on what I have already mentioned that are clearly worth analysis, first the Latin cross style of the church is striking when seen from above (see below). This view also offers a fantastic demonstration of the manner in which the church has been encroached upon by the city, though the work shows a small garden as well as the adjoining circle of the facade entrance it likely had significantly more grounds, buildings and support structures around it that are no longer present today. The 19th century witnessed the closing of the monastery associated with the Beguinage and it is unclear what building, if depicted, might have housed this aspect of the compound but it would be interesting to view them together to see the variation in the styles of building and the reflection of a more austere living quarters reflecting the more mundane.

The detail of the door is also a signficant and pictureaque representation of the work as its metal figures create striking images of a holy place and reflect the arcitecture of the period as well as the Italian influence associated with the architect. Luc Faydherbe is said to reflect his works as if they were paintings, though he worked in three dimensions as both an architect and a sculpture the doors of the facade clearly reflect a more painterly style, even though the door is compartmentalized in a traditional manner. Overall the work is a serious and interesting example of the Flemish Baroque period with several great examples of the architect's Italian influences and the pre-period and post-period cross style structure of the church. The depictions of the church are no doubt moving to the viewer, yet a real life trip to the place would likely greatly expand this impression and bring out far more details that do not translate in photographs. This work was chosen for analysis simply on the merit of the fact that it is a blended example of the period and because it is clearly a beautiful and moving example of stone architecture and places of worship. Works Cited "Brussels" Europe-cities, Eglise du Beguinage. 2004. . Dooms, Jeremy, Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium (Eglise du Beguinage) detail of door 1676. 2011. . Gilliant-Smith, Ernest. The Story of Brussels London: UK, J.M. Dent and Co. 1906. Google Earth. Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium (Eglise du Beguinage) aerial view 1676. 2011. . "Luc Faydherbe" Larrousse Encyclopedia online. 2011 . Weaver, Benjamin. Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium (Eglise du Beguinage) facade 1676. 2004. . Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium (Eglise du Beguinage) facade 1676 Photo by Benjamin Weaver Interior View of Pulpit Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium (Eglise du Beguinage) 1676 photo by Michael Wal Figure 3 Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium (Eglise du Beguinage) aerial view 1676, photo by Google Earth Figure 4 Beguinage Church in Brussels, Belgium (Eglise du Beguinage) detail of door 1676, photo by Jeremy Dooms.....