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Facade of Town Hall


Facade of Town Hall
Photo Information
Copyright: Tsilla Nahari (tnahari) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 707 W: 105 N: 1607] (9605)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-11-10
Categories: Architecture, Artwork
Exposure: f/3.2, 1/80 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-06-06 3:20
Viewed: 127
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The magnificent town hall of Leuven can be admired at the Grote Markt (Market Square). Since a few years this market square is free from traffic. Therefore, a visitor can take all the time it takes to fully stand in awe at the most perfect and beautiful expression of the Brabantine Gothic style : the Mayor's House.
The harmonious dimensions and rich decoration of the walls make the of the town hall a shrine of medieval splendor. The first stone was laid in 1439, the designer was the architect Sulpitius Van der Vorst. He died shortly afterwards and architect Keldermans continued his work. When Keldermans died in 1445 a third architect, Mathijs de Layens, continued the construction from 1447 until 1468. It was Mathijs de Layens who gave the flamboyant Gothic look to the building. He is therefore also considered the creator of the town hall. 
In 1706 the staircase at the entrance was added. The town hall was renovated for the first time in the 19th century. During the restoration new neo-gothic elements were added. A first restoration ran from 1829 until 1841. During the second half of the century the statues were added to further decorate the façade. This was due to the French writer Victor Hugo, who, during his stay in Leuven, insisted that statues would be made to fill out the empty niches because he found that such a splendid building could not be left unfinished. From 1893 until 1907 the beautifully sculptured pedestals on which the statues rest, were renovated too. During the bombings of 1944 the town hall suffered considerable damage which resulted in another renovation campaign from 1962 until 1983. In the 1990's the building, which had become very black, was thoroughly cleaned.
The town hall looks like a delicately wrought relic shrine. It shows the late gothic style at its most splendid. The elegant lines are accentuated by the proportions of the facades. The main facades count 10 bays , whereas the side facades count only 3. The vertical movement, which is so typical for the Gothic style, is reinforced by the slim towers on all four corners of the building. There is a total of 236 statues (made in the 19th century). They represent artists, scientists, historic persons and other people that played an important role in the history of the city. On the higher floors the Counts of Leuven and the Dukes of Brabant are shown.
The interior is also worth a visit. The different rooms are richly decorated with paintings  (amongst others paintings of the Mayors of Leuven since 1794). In the entrance hall are four statues by the 19th century Belgian sculptor Constantin Meunier.

town hall of Leuven in ws.
fransx, Emma, suzy, jan515, mesquens1, ayse51 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Tsilla,
A splendid facade of this Town Hall.
Beautiful sculptures added to this wonderful architectural structure.
Glorious lighting adorning your cupture with excellent POV.
The inclusion of the flags is giving impact to the composition.
Well seen and presented.
Best regards,

Francis Xavier

  • Great 
  • Emma Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1403 W: 6 N: 1919] (10149)
  • [2009-06-06 6:50]

Hello Tsila,
Wow ,this iswonderful facade,excellent presentation details,beautiful light,kontrast and colours. that is fantastic the wonderful structure shown, which always occurs to you, thus hat off. I admire your creativity.
Have a good weekend.
Best regards.
Eva

  • Great 
  • suzy Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 426 W: 38 N: 1261] (4336)
  • [2009-06-06 6:55]

amazing architecture, it always fascinates me the amount of work and the creative insight people can have and the patience to produce such a stunning artworks that present a great culture and style, and you managed perfectly to capture all this master work in a great lighting and sharpness and a superb POV, wonderful presentation Tsilla..

greetings
suzy

  • Great 
  • jan515 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2499 W: 56 N: 3862] (17478)
  • [2009-06-06 12:45]

Hello Tsilla,
Wooow,amanzing facade this beautiful strukture...you got a favorable light. A mad and original photo in an unbelievable sharpness. Large composition owing to you. That is a wonderful composition. Very good contrast. A marvelous picture.
Kind thanks and regards.
Best regards.
Janusz

Hi Tsilla,
What a superb architecture&statues vith excellent POV, details and perspective.TFS.
Cheers,

hAyAti

Boa noite Tsilla,
Stunning image! Very good POV, great sharpness, colors and details.
Um abraço,
Raimundo

Ciao Tsilla, great detail of fantastic architecture, excellent sharpness, very well done, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1654 W: 117 N: 1403] (19652)
  • [2009-06-07 9:50]

Hi T Silla,
amazing...Beautiful ornament of facade.Well composed.Beautiful naturel colours and sharpness.TFS.Necla.

Hello Tsilla,

Great compo from an excellent pov, with great sharpness, detail and lightmanagement.
Well seen and presented splendid facade, with beautiful sculptures, of the Town Hall.

Regards,
Henri

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