The Town Hall Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Town Hall of Oudenaarde, Belgium was built by architect Hendrik van Pede in 1526-1537 to replace the medieval Schepenhuis (Aldermen's House) that occupied the same site. Another older structure, the 14th-century Cloth Hall, was retained and now forms a sort of extension at the back of the Town Hall proper.
The Oudenaarde Town Hall was a late flowering of secular Brabantine Gothic architecture, carrying on the stylistic tradition of the town halls at Leuven, Brussels, and Middelburg. Above the ground-story arcade with vaulted ceiling, the building displays typical features of its regional forerunners: a richly decorated facade with pointed-arch windows separated by canopied niches, and a steep, dormered roof surrounded by an openwork parapet. The niches, although designed to contain statues, stand empty.
Atop the central belfry tower of six stories with three terraces, a stone crown supports a gilded brass figure of Hanske de Krijger (Hans the Warrior), mythical guardian of the city. The crown on the tower and the double-headed eagles over the attic windows pay homage to a famous visitor to Oudenaarde, Emperor Charles V, who fathered Margaret of Parma here a few years before construction of the Town Hall began.
The Town Hall initially combined functions of government and commerce, with rooms on the ground floor reserved for traders: the Corn House, Weighhouse and Lower Cloth Hall. Today, this floor accommodates the town's tourism office.
On the second floor, an elaborate portal crafted by Pauwel van der Schelden opens into the Schepenzaal, where the aldermen of Oudenaarde convened. The People's Hall takes up the front of the same floor, alongside the terrace overlooking the market square. This was the main room for receptions, banquets and entertainment.
The Town Hall boasts a collection of relics from Oudenaarde's past. The tapestries hanging in the Lower Cloth Hall and the adjacent Cloth Hall building represent an art form that brought the city fame between about the 15th-18th centuries. Another specialty of Oudenaarde during that time was the silversmith's trade, whose wares are displayed in the Silver Room on the third floor. The third floor also houses the Municipal Museum with various local art and artifacts.

Budapestman, ymrk, ciakgiak, alvaraalto, ChrisJ, dareco, pauloog, AiresSantos, mortijo, snunney, patdeph, Cricri, dip, PaulVDV, phwall, jhm, stego, Charo, Cretense, paura, axiotea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Budapestman (41530) 2009-06-18 13:06

Hi Gerrit,
You took a beautiful photo of this amazing ornate building. The details are fantastic, excellent clarity and colours. Tfs! Have a nice evening!
George

ymrk (8553) 2009-06-18 13:08

Hello Gerrit!
What a different archtiectural building and it's got details.Perfectly sharpness with outlook!
Take care,

Yağmur

giorgimer (20990) 2009-06-18 13:11

Hi Gerritt,

wonderful architectural image, great sharpness and good contrast

TFS

Gio

gilou530 (34999) 2009-06-18 13:44

salut gerrit
elle rentre juste dans le cadre cette cathédrale mise en valeur par une belle lumiére , une architecture trés stylée
amitiés
gilbert

ciakgiak (10482) 2009-06-18 13:50

Hello Gerrit,
my best congratulations for this architectural masterpiece. All is perfect and very impressive in this image: colours, POV, sharpness, light, and the choice of the vertical size.
Congratulations.
Best regards.
Giorgio

alvaraalto (5229) 2009-06-18 14:09

Dag Gerrit,

Dit stukje Belgische geschiedenis met deze fraaie foto met opvallende blauwe lucht kan zo worden opgenomen in de Vlaamse canon. Of doen onze zuiderburen niet aan dergelijke politieke hebbedingetjes?

groet Rob

Fis2 (45575) 2009-06-18 14:23

Czesc Gerrit!
Wonderful object.
Beautiful architecture.
I like the frame, super colors and light.
Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

zeca (20026) 2009-06-18 15:19

Hi Gerrit!
This is an impressive architecture, with many beautiful details. The blue sky is perfect as a background to enhance the building. Good choice for the diagonal framing.
Regards,
Zeca
(I´ve sent you a message yesterday and I am afraid you didn´t had received it for any reason. If you really didn´t received it, please give me any reply here. I'll be checking for your answer at least every half hour, since its a little bit urgent for me. Tks)

ChrisJ (69973) 2009-06-18 17:25

Hi Gerrit

A stunning blue sky & good upward pov on the ornate old building. Good sharpness & framing. Tfs!

npecanhuk (13595) 2009-06-18 20:07

Hello Gerrit!
The architecture of that town hall is impressively beautiful and your photo job is outstanding, with perfect sharpness, exposure and wonderful colors!
The vertical format was a great choice here and the low pov truly enhances the majesty of that building!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

jurek1951 (25890) 2009-06-18 22:41

Hi Gerrit,
Really very nice your architecture photos this one is very sharp and very well composed.The lighting is fantastic.
Georg

dareco (17104) 2009-06-18 23:13

WOW! This building is incredible!! An excellent picture with superb detail!! TFS

danyy (68454) 2009-06-18 23:59

Bonjour Gerrit,
un peu comme l'église que j'ai photographiée à Spa, cet énorme édifice a du mal à tenir dans une seule photo. Contrairement à moi par contre; tu as eu la chance de ne pas avoir de voitures devant.
Superbes couleurs intenses et excellent rendu de la texture des pierres.
Excellent vendredi.
Daniel.

pauloog (6368) 2009-06-19 0:53

Dag Gerrit,
Een mooi gedetailleerd helder zicht van dit gothisch pareltje. Goede gezichtshoek voor een mooi totaalbeeld.
Groetjes,
Paul

John_F_Kennedy (31167) 2009-06-19 1:14

This is a fine image with a special strong light. Fantastic architecture photo with a very interesting POV.
Best wishes,
Achim

AiresSantos (41820) 2009-06-19 1:20

Hi Gerrit
Wonderful architecture, amazing town hall of Oudenaarde. Beautiful POV and vivid colours
I like how you handled the light and informative note
TFS and have a nice weekend
Aires

mortijo (12094) 2009-06-19 1:28

Een mooie foto van een mooi Vlaams monument.Tamelijk uniek, want er staan geen auto's op. Geslaagde kleuren. Mooi fotowerk.
Groeten
John

snunney (34574) 2009-06-19 4:31

Hello Gerrit,
A splendid capture of this Gothic masterpiece. The polarised blue sky makes a wonderful backdrop for the yellow tones of the old stones. The detail in the architecture is beautifully rendered. Interesting and useful note.

jlbrthnn (37559) 2009-06-19 5:43

Hello Gerrit,
What a harmony in this architectural complexity! The image gives an excellent overall picture. The parameters are excellent. Congratulations.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

aadilj (17950) 2009-06-19 6:09

Hi gerrit, thats a massive building with such clear hues and a great perspective. Youve compsoed it exceedingly well

patdeph (17662) 2009-06-19 9:01

hello Gerrit
the cathedral is superb,and with this beautiful light and the excellent sharpness ,we can see the details of this fine artwork!The way it's standing out the blue sky is wonderful!
Regards
Pascale

Cricri (43030) 2009-06-19 10:28

Hi Gerrit
Plus en détails içi par le cadrage serré de la cathédrale bien mise en valeur par la lumière et le bleu du ciel
Friendship
cricri

dip (12532) 2009-06-19 12:22

Hi Gerrit,
excellent architectural image,very good POV and framing,
great sharpness and informative note as well!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

PaulVDV (5136) 2009-06-19 15:48

Hallo Gerrit,
Deze foto is werkelijk prachtig en toont de architectuur van het stadhuis en de belforttoren majestueus. Sommigen hier menen er zelfs een kathedraal in te zien.
Ik hou van de kleuren en van de weergave van de architecturale details.
Beste groeten, Paul

phwall (5532) 2009-06-19 19:37

Hi Gerrit,
I'm glad you went for a full frame capture on this remarkable building, it looks brilliant.
How much would that stonework cost if you wanted to replicate it today, perish the thought.
A marvelous capture, wonderful detail.
Regards
Peter

jhm (82185) 2009-06-20 1:20

Dag Gerrit,

Oudenaarde heeft inderdaad een van de mooiste stadhuizen van verre en nabij.
Het is soms moeilijk om daar een foto te nemen maar u bent daar fantatisch in geslaagd.
Zeer mooi foto werk, bedankt.

Prettig weekend,
John.

Bluejeans (31993) 2009-06-20 4:13

Ola Gerrit ,
Linda este edifício tem umas arquitectura cheia de detalhes, muito belos estes arcos todos , bonitos tons de azul, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

stego (22350) 2009-06-21 9:07

Dag Gerrit,
The wonderful Gothic architecture of the building really stands out with the beautiful sunlight and against that well saturated blue sky. I like the perspective, it's only pity that it's cropped on the right.
Groet,
José

siamesa (12674) 2009-06-21 13:10

Hi Gerrit

Simply fantastic!The architecture and the beauty of this building are incredible. Congratulations.
Regards
Maria

Charo (31665) 2009-06-21 16:41

Hallo Gerrit,
De architectonische stijl van de Raad, is echt indrukwekkend om te zien dat u dacht dat het was een kerk. Ik ben dol op het detail van de bloemen decoreren de eerste verdieping een terras.
Uitstekende details en zeer goede licht en perspectief.
Gegroet,
Charo

gunbud (27755) 2009-06-22 19:03

Hi Gerrit,
This fantastic Belgium architcture lokks very impressive in this tightly cropped vertical fromat.
The itricate details are very well seen as the fantastic cathedral stands out brilliantly against the deep blue sky.
Regards, Tom

Cretense (55620) 2009-06-23 5:09

Hello Gerrit!

Very impressive building, excellent architecture photography! Great framing, simple but effective composition! Excellent light managment, beautiful colours and impressive sharpness! Congratulations!

Hercules

paura (38222) 2009-06-24 16:55

Gerrit,
A arquitetura é das mais bonitas, com requinte nos detalhes e formas. Enquadramento perfeito para mostrar essa beleza. Muito boa.

Abraço

Paulo

axiotea (16027) 2009-06-25 20:25

Hello Gerrit
Vow! An imposing and beautiful edifice well presented in a good light and which stands out perfectly against the blue sky. Great architectural details and colors nicely rendered.
Cheers
Marilyn

Photo Information

Copyright: Gerrit van der Linden (Gerrit) (35593)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-13
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Canon EOS 400 D, Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II, B+W 62mm Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/8, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-18 12:55