More recycled art

One more sculpture by Alfredo Longo.

Recycled art

Sculptures by Alfredo Longo made from aluminium cans, exposed in the Ancienne Halle aux Viandes de Liège. I normally dislike art with a message but these are actually quite nice.

Liège in the 11th century

Back in September I posted some photos of a model of Liège in 1730. Here's another model, this time of Liège in the 11th century. It is on exhibit in the Archeoforum, the archeological site under the Place Saint Lambert. Evidently the city progressed quite a bit between the 11th and 18th centuries!

Madone à l'enfant

Another 16th century painting from the University of Liège collection, this one is entitled 'Madonna with child' and is by Girolamo Marchesi da Cotignola.

Les damnés précipités en enfer

The damned hurled down to hell, 16th century oil painting by an anonymous flemish artist, from the University of Liège collection.

Cloister

The cloister of the Museum of Walloon Life, as it really is

and in the form of a scale model.

Lettre au Roi

The recent discussions about a possible break-up of Belgium into two or three countries is not at all new. Here's proof: a letter to the King, dated 1912, discussing the separation of Wallonia and Flanders. The letter can be seen in the Museum of Walloon Life.

Organ, angel and saint

Some more interesting features of the St Antoine interior.

Espace Saint Antoine 2

Photos of the stained glass of Saint Antoine.

Espace Saint Antoine

Th Museum of Walloon life is connected to Saint Antoine, a former collegiate church that has been reconverted into an exhibition centre. This is what it looks like from the outside:

And this is what it looks like from the inside:

Walloon reflections

Reflections on the new wing of the Museum of Walloon life.

Ancienne Eglise Saint-André

Saint-André used to be the church of the Order of the Teutonic Knights. The Order left Liège after the revolution and the building was converted to a grain market. It was restored in the 1960s and is now a cultural centre and arts gallery.

Nativity scene

Some more Mosan art from the Grand Curtius collection.

And finally...

An amazing, rather occult dagger from the weapons collection of the Grand Curtius. You can probably open a gate to another dimension with it, if you know the correct incantation.

And some mummies

The Grand Curtius also has a small Egyptian antiquities section, with a couple of sarcophagi and some statuettes. Here's some of them.

More paintings

Here's another couple of paintings from the Grand Curtius. A beautiful Madonna and Child followed by, ... sorry I don't remember what the second painting is supposed to represent but I like it.

Les femmes vertueuses

The Grand Curtius museum also has a significant collection of paintings. The painting in this photo is one of a series called 'the virtuous women' by Lambert Lombard. I didn't hire the audio guide so I don't know what the series refers to but, to be honest, this here lady don't look none too virtuous to me...

Update: apparently, the painting depicts the slaying of Sisera by Jael (Judges 4:22). Sisera had it coming because he was a cruel leader and an oppressor. Having said that, he sought refuge in Jael's tent after his armies were defeated. She gave him sanctuary, waited for him to fall asleep and then nailed his brains to the ground. Still not my definition of virtuous...

Madonnas and children 3

These sculptures, still from the Grand Curtius collection, are by baroque artist Jean Del Cour. He introduced the baroque style to Liège and the city is full of his sculptures. I find them wonderful.

Madonnas and children 2

Mosan Art is sculpture on wood, characterised by a very primitive, almost naive style. Over the year the art evolved, using different materials and more sophisticated techniques but, in my humble opinion, to the detriment of authenticity. The following examples of the same subject matter are far less charming, I think.

Madonnas and children

Some more examples of Mosan art from the Grand Curtius. As you can see, Madonna and Child is one of the most recurring themes.