Antwerp

Gilberte

Antwerp

Antwerp Collage

HANTWERPEN, the legend
Right up and into the 17th Century Antwerp was often spelt as ‘Hantwerpen’. Hardly surprising really, because according to an old legend this was the way it should be.

Legend has it that at the beginning of time the bend in the River Scheldt was in hands of the giant Antigoon, who demanded a heavy toll from each passing shipmaster. Those who refused to pay had a hand chopped off. A Roman soldier, Silvius Brabo, brought an end to this awful practice, by slaying the giant, chopping off his hand and throwing it into the river. Hence ‘Hantwerpen’ or ‘hand throwing’. The H disappeared over time, but ‘Antwerpen’ stuck. So much for the legend.

In reality the name Antwerpen probably derives from the word ‘aanwerp’, an alluvial mound in the River Schelt, at the height of the Steen, which was the site of an early settlement. Towards the end of the 19th Century this alluvial mound disappeared when the quays of the River Scheldt were straightened. Though the story of Brabo is complete fiction, the ‘Sinjoren’ nevertheless still pay tribute to their legendary liberator on the Grote Markt (the square in front of the town hall). The bronze fountain (1887) was created by Antwerp sculptor Jef Lambeaux

Antwerp belongs to the following groups:

BEAUTIFUL BELGIUM (Belgie, Belgique), European Everyday Life (add the place!), Former DPF Members and PixElations - The Art of Photoshop Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Antwerp by Gilberte
Antwerp by Gilberte
  • Madeline M Allen

    Madeline M Allen

    Beautiful work and great write up Betty. Well done my friend! Hugs ! xx

  • Gilberte replied

    Hi Maddy…thanks for your visit and nice comment.Hugs xx

  • kenspics

    kenspics

    A fantastic collage Gilberte… and your comments are incredibly good as always!!!
    I love the sunlit reflections near the bottom, the vivid colors, and the diversity of the subject matter you have chosen here!!!!

  • Gilberte replied

    Thanks a lot Ken….I chose typical Antwerp subjects like the liquor “Elixir d’Anvers” made with 32 aromatic plants and ripened in oak barrels.The little biscuits are in the shape of a hand with some almonds to decorate.They are named “Antwerpse Handjes”
    They are sold in parcels as on the photo but also in tin boxes with views from Antwerp.Very nice but too expensive for me to make a photo!!

  • Gilberte replied

    Also thanks for the favoriting of my specialties..so sorry you cannot taste them.

  • Catherine Veal

    Catherine Veal

    a beautiful collage Gilberte.x

  • Gilberte replied

    Thank you very much Catherine.x

  • EvaMarIza

    EvaMarIza

    Magnificent work, love it :)

  • Gilberte replied

    Thanks heaps Eva…glad you love it.

  • Alateia

    Alateia

    I love the textures, the colours, the placement, the collage the combination is wonderfully descriptive! beautiful work Gilberte

  • Gilberte replied

    Thanks so much Alateia for your nice analysis of my photo and also favoriting it

  • Marvin Collins

    Marvin Collins

    Beautiful work Gil!!

  • Gilberte replied

    Thank you Marvin..yes it was work for I am not an expert in this sort of collage…I hesitated to upload it but finally decided to do it, not for the beauty of the picture but to show different aspects of life in Antwerp

  • coffeetea

    coffeetea

    i love this… Archie, food, art and home cookies :))) brilliant work!
    It is above life itself…....... mooigedaan!!! lief buurvrow.

  • coffeetea

    coffeetea

    and water~~~ you didnt forget water! i cant live without that….

  • Gilberte replied

    Hello Susan…thanks for your kind comments..I tried ro show different aspects of life in Antwerp.The cookies are not home made.It’s a result of a challenge between pastry bakers.The one who won had the idea of baking little hands and the recipe is a secret.(They taste lovely) The water is a photo of the river Scheldt just before sundown.
    If you can’t live without water, you’re well served in the Netherlands!
    Dag lief buurvrouwtje!

  • Gilberte replied

    Thanks for favoriting my town

  • Ellen

    Ellen

    Heel origineel. Mooi gedaan Gilberte!

  • Gilberte replied

    Bedankt Ellen…hoop dat met jou alles goed gaat

  • Raider6569

    Raider6569

    A creative and compelling collage, rich in visual stimuli and aesthetically pleasing. Your write-up was interesting as well Gilberte. Good one.

  • Gilberte replied

    Thank you Dave for your friendly review of my photo

  • debsphotos

    debsphotos

    Perfect symbols to represent your interesting histotry Gilberte!! Wonderful work and legend!! *-)

  • Gilberte replied

    Thanks heaps Debbie…some symbols are nice to buy; you can eat and drink them!!!

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