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Artwork

Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp

Bonaventura Peeters the Elder , 1624

Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp, by Bonaventura Peeters the Elder, oil, 1624
Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp, by Bonaventura Peeters the Elder, oil, 1624

Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Bonaventura Peeters the Elder. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Bonaventura Peeters the Elder, a Flemish painter active in the early seventeenth century, produced the oil painting Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp in 1624. The work belongs to the Flemish Baroque tradition and is part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas records a ceremonial arrival in Antwerp: members of a white‑cloaked monastic order are greeted by the city’s magistrate and leading citizens. The scene unfolds along the bustling harbor, where ships and boats crowd the foreground, while figures on the quay and in the water observe the procession.

Technique & Style

Peeters renders the bustling port with meticulous attention to the rigging, hulls, and flags, employing a palette that shifts from subdued earth tones in the architecture to brighter reds and blues in the clothing and banners. The composition creates depth through atmospheric perspective, and the cloudy sky adds a sense of movement.

Context

During the 1620s Antwerp was a major commercial hub, and civic ceremonies such as this one were often commemorated in art. Peeters, known primarily for maritime subjects, integrates the city’s civic architecture, a prominent building with a tall spire, into a lively narrative of public celebration.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the painting has remained in Belgium and is now housed in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, where it is displayed among other works that illustrate the city’s maritime and civic heritage.

The Keelhauling of the Ship’s Surgeon of Admiral Jan van Nes
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Artist & collection

Portrait of Bonaventura Peeters the Elder

Artist

Bonaventura Peeters the Elder

Bonaventura Peeters (I) or Bonaventura Peeters the Elder (23 July 1614 – 25 July 1652) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and etcher.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp?

Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp was painted by Bonaventura Peeters the Elder in 1624.

Where can I see Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp?

Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp?

Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp?

Museum-quality prints of Reception of the White Monks by the Magistrate and the Notables of the City of Antwerp are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.