This is one of a series of roundels depicting the 'Spanish Fury' of 1576 and events at Antwerp in August 1577. Between 4–6 November 1576 mercenaries in the Spanish service launched a full-scale attack on Antwerp (see this medal). Over 2500 citizens were murdered and 100 houses burned down, including the magnificent Town Hall. In August 1577, however, the Netherlandish coalition overthrew the Spanish troops in the Citadel, as depicted in the medal A.34-1975. They then negotiated with the German mercenaries to withdraw (see inv.no. A.36-1975).
Five of the compositions are derived from a set of seven engravings by the Wierix brothers, after designs by Marten de Vos. That showing the Spanish Fury, a separate event, has no direct prototype and is unique. The translation of the engravings into low-reliefs is highly competent and bespeaks the hand of a master, as does their technical excellence. The minuteness of detail and the style of the figures points towards the medallist and bronze-sculptor, Jacques Jongheling, who was Master at the Mint at that time.
Jongheling worked in the Mannerist style that was common to all media in Antwerp in the last third of the sixteenth century.
Physical description
The roundel depicts the episode on the central market in Antwerp during the events from 5 to 6 November 1576, known as the 'Spanish Fury'. In the foreground appears a female figure wringing her hands in grief and identified by the coat of arms nearby as an allegory of the City of Antwerp. Mercenaries are murdering Antwerp citizens, while in the background the Town Hall is in flames.
Place of Origin
Antwerp, Belgium (made)
Date
ca. 1580 (made)
Artist/maker
Jonghelinck, Jacques de, born 1530 - died 1606 (attributed to, makers)
Materials and Techniques
Bronze
Dimensions
Diameter: 17.3 cm
Object history note
Whole series (A.33 to A.38-1975) bought for £2,400 with the assistance of the bequest of M. L. Horn and the J. R. Vallentin Fund, from David Peel & Co Ltd, London, in 1975.
This is one of a series of roundels depicting the 'Spanish Fury' of 1576 and events at Antwerp in August 1577.
Historical context note
This relief is part of a set which depict the events of the 4-6 November 1576 when mercenaries in the Spanish service launched a full-scale attack on Antwerp (see this plaquettes). Over 2500 citizens were murdered and 100 houses burned down, including the magnificent Town Hall. In August 1577, however, the Netherlandish coalition overthrew the Spanish troops in the Citadel, as depicted in this medal. They then negotiated with the German mercenaries to withdraw (see inv.no. A.36-1975).
Descriptive line
Plaquette, bronze relief, The 'Spanish Fury' at Antwerp, attributed to Jacques de Jonghelinck, Southern Netherlands (Antwerp), ca. 1580
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Avery, Charles, "Antwerp, August 1577 - the 'Spanish Fury' and the Liberation of the Citadel: a series of bronze plaquettes after Martin de Vos", in: Avery, C., Studies in European Sculpture, London, 1981, pp. 133-147
Weber, I. Deutsche, Niederländische und Französische Renaissance Plaketten. Munich, 1975, p. 307, No. 709, 1, pl. 195
Exhibition History
Renaissance Medals and Plaquettes of Northern Europe (British Museum 16/06/1995-22/10/1995)
Materials
Bronze
Subjects depicted
Antwerp
Categories
Sculpture; Coins & Medals; Politics; Plaques & Plaquettes
Collection code
SCP
