Carolus Borromeus church on fire, a photo from Antwerpen, Flanders

Photographer's Note

Headline news this morning of 30 August 2009 in Belgium was that a fire broke out in St. Carolus Borromeus church, one of the most beloved churches of Antwerp.
Since the, the assessment is that there is no structural damage, that the artworks have been saved and that the church can be fully restored. The cause of the fire seems to be overheating of electrical circuits during a concert given in the church the evening before.

A few weeks ago I visited the church and made this interior view, composed of a stitch of six photo's to obtain a wide view while maintaining a natural perspective.

This typical baroque church was built by the Jesuits between 1615 and 1621 to a design drawn up by their rector Francois Aguillon and Brother Peter Huyssens. Rubens played an important part in the decoration of the facade and the pinnacle of the tower but especially of the interior. However, thirty-nine ceiling paintings, the work of his studio, were lost in a fire in 1718. Most of the original marble was also destroyed.

But the apse of the main altar and the Mary Chapel were spared and still convey an impression of the church’s former splendor which in the light of the Counter-Reformation was expressly intended to revive the faith of believers, but especially of backsliders.

The present interior was created under the direction of Jan Peter van Baurscheit the Elder who also built the pulpit and the splendid casing for the Forceville organ. There are also sculptures and wood carvings by Michiel van der Voort, Andries de Nole and others.

A single painting hangs above the altar but it is not always the same one. An original mechanism which is still in working order makes it possible to change the paintings. An impressive spectacle.

Clementi, testmaniac, PaulVDV, bukitgolfb301, siolaw, Charo, Vasa, Graal has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Clementi (52511) 2009-08-30 0:51

Ciao Paul,
an image very well built, the depth of the scene and the beautiful architecture I like. the light is managed well indeed
compliments
Giorgio

serp2000 (29172) 2009-08-30 1:41

Hi, Paul,
Superb! Greatful architecture, excellent details!! I like this composition! TFS!
Serghei

LOOOK13 (19022) 2009-08-30 2:49

Salut.Une petite prière...On s'y croirait.Supebe cadrage , un contraste ben géré entre le blanc et le marron.Bravo.

ifege (9428) 2009-08-30 4:10

A superb shot for an indoor one Paul,
good colour and POV
Regards
Ian

darek1978 (13361) 2009-08-30 5:00

Hi Paul,
This church has a wonderful inside architeture. The symmetrical perspective of the chairs is greatly interpreted with the wide angle from the point of view you adopted. I'm also very impressed with the light on this one. Well done!
Best regards,
Darek

testmaniac (13492) 2009-08-30 6:57

Hi Paul, great indoor architecture photo! The POV,composition and colors are really good!

TFS

Phil

wolf38 (28166) 2009-08-30 8:00

Hello Paul. Churches are interesting, because everyone different is. This church pleases me very well, because it is brightly and light. In addition much beautiful colors and interior design. Also the technical quality is outstanding. Very beautifully. Regards, Wolfgang.

hardyuno (4646) 2009-08-30 9:21

Hello Paul,
i hope with you that the fire has not destroyed to much. It is always a big calamity when so very old and great culture disappears.
Best regards
Hartmut

PaulVDV (15017) 2009-08-30 12:37

Hallo Paul,
Prachtige heldere foto van het mooie interieur van deze kerk met een scherpe weergave van alle details.
Groetjes, Paul

bukitgolfb301 (30063) 2009-08-30 20:44

Hello my dear Paul

What an another great architectural shot!
Perfect composition and tight simmetry framework.
Well calculated thick color balance/coordination is splendid as usual. The solemn atmosphere can be conveyed well easily!!!
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a nice week !
Takero

siolaw (37568) 2009-08-31 10:32

Hi Paul
Nice light and exposure, not always the case inside churches! Strong perspective and good depth too
Nicely done
Laurent

jurek1951 (35765) 2009-08-31 14:30

Hi Paul,
Fabulous use of available lighting in this interior shot!
Nice sculptures and architectural structure with excellent details.
Georg

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2009-08-31 14:36

Hi, Paul -

A beautiful church indeed! Like you and everyone, I hope it can be restored.

Best,
Dan

Charo (51174) 2009-08-31 16:16

Hello Paul,
The church is of great beauty and a magnificent light that give the side windows, uncommon in the Gothic churches, which are always darker.
Excellent detail and depth.
Best regards,
Charo

danyy (0) 2009-08-31 23:34

Bonjour Paul,
une vue très classique d'intérieur d'église avec comme grosse difficulté, la capture des lumières intérieures et l'évitement des surexpositions, difficulté qui apparement n'en n'ont pas été pour toi puisque cette prise de vue, bien détaillée, rend lumières et couleurs parfaitement.
Un excellente profondeur aussi.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

Vasa (15970) 2009-09-01 1:44

Un example ecole de la perspective. T'as fait attention pour assurer la symertie. Les artistes ont deja fait la merveille architecturale, que ta photo, Paul, mets en valeurs. Grand merci de ce partge, ami.

Branko

PJE (20756) 2009-09-01 22:32

Hello Paul

The beautiful interior of this church has really caught my attention. From this perspective I can see how wonderful a walk down this aisle would be, and better yet for a priest to be privileged to stand in the pulpit...and hopefully something profound to say for the benefit of the people. Excellent work.

AKITA (15125) 2009-09-01 23:18

dear Paul,
both beautiful and solemn,
you captured the sublime air in this church very well.
this perspective includes almost symmetrical depth of space, made by lots of arches, it is graceful.
and not vanishing point but religious painting, this idea is splendid.
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

BennyV (12759) 2009-09-02 5:55

Dag Paul,

Een klassieke foto van een klassiek interieur, prachtig aansluitend bij de actualiteit. De schade van die brand valt achteraf gelukkig mee, maar we zijn wel aan een ramp ontsnapt. De Carolus Borromeuskerk is één van mijn favoriete gebouwen en zondermeer de mooiste kerk in 't stad.

Groetjes.

Benny

claudeD (24173) 2009-09-02 9:45

Hello Paul,

excellent interior shot of that church with a perfect light managment and a very good composition.Good sharpness and colors.TFS.I like the shot very much.

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2009-09-03 0:35

Hello Paul! Amazing church, wonderful interior, excelent altar, ideal POV and capture. Perfect focus. Good contrast. Great effect. Well done!

rodgerg (55767) 2009-09-03 4:04

Bonjour Paul,

Très belle vue intérieure de cette superbe église baroque qui a fait la une de l'actualité ces derniers jours chez nous. Le POv est très bien choisi, il ouvre une belle perspective sur l'autel et provoque une agréable impression de symétrie. Une image riche en détails variés très bien captés.
Amitiés,
Roger

yquem46 (32247) 2009-09-03 9:56

Bonsoir paul
même sans être un fan des photos d'édifices, je ne peux que m'incliner devant la qualité de celle-ci!
C'est impeccable
Bravo
Bien amicalement
patrick

Graal (88852) 2009-09-03 23:00

Hi Paul,
very nice interior of church. Beautiful baroque architecture. Good details and presentation. I like it a lot.
Gr., Aleksander

mortijo (12828) 2009-09-04 9:19

Hallo Paul,
Een prachtig binnenzicht van deze kerk. Gelukkig valt de brandschade nogal mee.
De stitch van 6 foto's is heel goed gelukt en het licht en de kleuren zijn uitstekend.
Prachtig werk, gefeliciteerd.
Groeten uit een doornat Luxemburg
John

emjleclercq (15778) 2009-09-05 13:25

A beautifull inside view with good light and excellent perspective effect. I hope the fire did not cause to much damage.

All the best,

Emmanuel

boa (4313) 2009-09-09 13:51

Hello Paul,
I am not particularly religious, but i like to visit churches sometimes. There`s a calm atmosphere and often fine artworks. Excellent shot of the interior of this church, crisp and clear, and a very good handling of the light. Well done !
Best regards
Boa

xavshot (69835) 2009-09-17 12:15

Bonsoir Paul
j'aime beaucoup ce genre de photo. La perspective est superbe et la symétrie impeccable. Très beau travail.
Xavier