Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 111, The Gilbert Bayes Gallery

De Bours Drives Merville and Treslong out of the Citadel of Antwerp

Relief
ca. 1580 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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 inv.no. A.38-1975). 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).
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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDe Bours Drives Merville and Treslong out of the Citadel of Antwerp (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Relief, bronze, De Bours Drives Merville and Treslong out of the Citadel of Antwerp, attributed to Jacques de Jonghelinck, Southern Netherlands (Antwerp), ca. 1580
Physical description
The roundel depicts the event of the 1 August 1577: Bours drives Treslongs company of Walloons, commanded by Jaques de Merville out of the citadel of Antwerp. Within a circular border with guilloche pattern is a battle scene. In the background are fortifications surrounded by a moat over which is a bridge crowded with soldiers. The foreground shows a dramatic battle scene. At the top surrounded by clouds sits the figure of Justice.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 17.5cm
Object history
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.

Historical significance: 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 inv.no. A.38-1975). 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).
Historical context
This is one of a series of roundels depicting the 'Spanish Fury' of 1576 and events at Antwerp in August 1577.
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
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 inv.no. A.38-1975). 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).
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.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • 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
Collection
Accession number
A.34-1975

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Record createdMay 9, 2005
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