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How did Peter Paul Rubens contribute to the design of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Antwerp?
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Peter Paul Rubens
Peter Paul Rubens, self-portrait in oil, c. 1638; in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
Peter Paul Rubens played a significant role in the design and decoration of the Jesuit church in Antwerp, now known as St. Charles Borromeo Church, which was dedicated in 1621.1
His contributions included:
- Architectural Design: Rubens contributed to the overall architectural design of the church.1
- Monumental Sculpture: He designed monumental sculptures for both the interior and the facade of the building.1
- High Altar: He designed the high altar, which featured a semidome and an oculus for illumination, a design reminiscent of his own homeâs "pantheon" for sculpture. This altar housed two interchangeable altarpieces he painted, which were devoted to Saints Ignatius and Francis Xavier.1
- Ceiling Paintings: In 1620, Rubens was contracted to design 39 ceiling paintings for the church. These were executed by his assistants, including Anthony van Dyck, based on Rubens's own oil sketches.1