Art, Music and Spectacle in the Age of Rubens

This volume deals with the triumphal entry of the Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand, brother of King Philip IV of Spain, into Antwerp in 1635, one of the largest and most spectacular festivals ever mounted in an early modern city. The outdoor festivities in honor of the city's new governor included a citywide procession, performances, fireworks, music, and political speeches. Along the processional route appeared nine richly ornamented stages and arches designed by Peter Paul Rubens and executed by a group of local painters and sculptors, including Jacob Jordaens, Theodoor van Thulden, and Jan van den Hoecke. A group of highly distinguished specialists from different disciplines will discuss the entry and Gevaerts' book from a myriad of viewpoints, including art, architecture, music, theater, history, politics, classical knowledge, and economic and intellectual networks. It is the first time that the entry will be examined from a truly interdisciplinary perspective.