Abstract
When in 1512 Lodewijk Van Boghem was appointed master mason of Saint Nicolas de Tolentino
at Brou, he was celebrated as one of the best masters in the Low Countries. However, his
engagement at Margaret of Austria’s most prestigious building programme is somewhat
surprising, as no prior buildings designed or built by him are known today. This paper
will consider the knowledge and experience that made Van Boghem well suited for the job
by examining his education and career in the Brussels’ milieu of stone merchants. Hitherto,
such ties with the stone trade are usually thought to reflect the master mason’s low status
as craftsman. However, this contribution will question this art historical cliché by regarding
the social stratification among stonemasons. Leading stone merchants were certainly not
humble master craftsmen; instead, they ranked among the more affluent entrepreneurs
and merchants of their time. As one of the most successful stone merchants of Brussels,
Van Boghem fashioned himself as a cultured person who moved easily in court circles.
at Brou, he was celebrated as one of the best masters in the Low Countries. However, his
engagement at Margaret of Austria’s most prestigious building programme is somewhat
surprising, as no prior buildings designed or built by him are known today. This paper
will consider the knowledge and experience that made Van Boghem well suited for the job
by examining his education and career in the Brussels’ milieu of stone merchants. Hitherto,
such ties with the stone trade are usually thought to reflect the master mason’s low status
as craftsman. However, this contribution will question this art historical cliché by regarding
the social stratification among stonemasons. Leading stone merchants were certainly not
humble master craftsmen; instead, they ranked among the more affluent entrepreneurs
and merchants of their time. As one of the most successful stone merchants of Brussels,
Van Boghem fashioned himself as a cultured person who moved easily in court circles.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Princesses et Renaissance(s). La commande artistique de Marguerite d’Autriche et de son entourage. Colloque international |
| Place of Publication | Paris |
| Publisher | Monum' Editions du patrimoine |
| Pages | 19-27 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |