Zijkapel van de Sint-Jacobskerk met figuren bij het altaar 1851 - 1895

Théodore Joseph Cleynhens created this print of a side chapel in the Sint-Jacobskerk at an unknown date. Here, Cleynhens depicts a scene of religious devotion, with figures gathered around the altar, framed by the church’s architecture. Prints like this one played a significant role in shaping cultural and religious identities in 19th-century Europe. Made in Belgium, the image participates in the 19th century gothic revival which saw a resurgence of interest in medieval aesthetics and religious piety, often linked to conservative social and political movements. Prints like this one were often commissioned by religious institutions or cultural heritage organizations and were meant to evoke the grandeur of the church. To fully understand this print, one could delve into the archives of the Sint-Jacobskerk, examining the records of its artistic patronage and its relationship with the local community. This print reminds us that art is often shaped by the social, religious, and institutional contexts in which it is produced and consumed.