Antwerp by Gilberte
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
Tags
cathedral, collage, bottle, prints, biscuits, glas, danvers, elixir, antwerp, gilberte, scheldt, brabo, antwerpse, handjes, ftscollage
Comments
Beautiful work and great write up Betty. Well done my friend! Hugs ! xx
Hi Maddy…thanks for your visit and nice comment.Hugs xx
– Gilberte
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!!!!
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
Also thanks for the favoriting of my specialties..so sorry you cannot taste them.
– Gilberte
a beautiful collage Gilberte.x
Thank you very much Catherine.x
– Gilberte
Magnificent work, love it :)
Thanks heaps Eva…glad you love it.
– Gilberte
I love the textures, the colours, the placement, the collage the combination is wonderfully descriptive! beautiful work Gilberte
Thanks so much Alateia for your nice analysis of my photo and also favoriting it
– Gilberte
Beautiful work Gil!!
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
– Gilberte
i love this… Archie, food, art and home cookies :))) brilliant work!
It is above life itself………. mooigedaan!!! lief buurvrow.
and water~~~~~ you didnt forget water! i cant live without that….
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
Thanks for favoriting my town
– Gilberte
Heel origineel. Mooi gedaan Gilberte!
Bedankt Ellen…hoop dat met jou alles goed gaat
– Gilberte
A creative and compelling collage, rich in visual stimuli and aesthetically pleasing. Your write-up was interesting as well Gilberte. Good one.
Thank you Dave for your friendly review of my photo
– Gilberte