Rituele betekenisgeving bij de contrareformatorische kerkbouw: de eerstesteenlegging van de Sint-Pietersabdijkerk in Gent (1629)(prov. Oost-Vl.)

Abstract

The deposition of the first stone of St Peter’s abbey church in Ghent (1629) invested the building with a meaning even before its completion by means of several paraphernalia produced in honour of the event. In this article, two main sources were analyzed to reveal a better understanding of the architectural meaning of one of the first domed churches in the Netherlands: a commemorative medal (with preview of the planned facade) and a volume of poetry. Through the interaction of both text and image in these sources, several aspects were connected to each other: Abbot Ioachim Arsenius Schaeyck (1615-1631) is identified with the rebuilding of the church, with Amandus in the combat against Protestantism and with the apostle Peter as the original founder of the abbey (and consequently to the St Peter’s basilica in Rome). The new church is linked to the counter-reformation programme pursued by Rome, to a type of church architecture symbolizing the vitality of Christianity and to God as an actor in its construction. The subtle interplay of the commemorative medal and the anthems provided the spectator a preview of the planned church at the ceremony of the laying of the first stone. This was important as the building could not yet speak for itself and the message of triumph of Catholicism over heresy was a welcome one at the time of reconstruction in 1629. The counter-reformational agenda, depicting the church as a phoenix rising from its ashes after the destruction of the iconoclasms, is clear. This message is also supported by the architecture itself. By appealing to Italian architecture, a connection is made with a type of church typical of the Catholic counteroffensive. However, it is not a case of pure imitation, as the Italian architectural elements are merely applied for the purpose of the alliance that was crafted with a style of architecture signifying Catholic triumph and vitality. Moreover, local components were included in the building of the church as well.