Title

Pilgrimage of the Archdukes Isabella Clara Eugenia and Albert of Austria to Laeken

Author

Beken, Hans van der

Mechelen, ca 1570 - Mechelen, ca 1619

Typology

School

Date

Dimensions

Technique

Support

Inscriptions

Signed: "Hans van der Baker. Fecit 1601"

Observations

In 1601, Hans van der Beken painted a monumental work depicting a significant event in the history of the Spanish Netherlands: the Pilgrimage of Archdukes Isabella Clara Eugenia and Albert of Austria to Laeken. This piece, long misattributed to another historical scene, was reinterpreted in the early 21st century thanks to a detailed analysis of its visual and contextual elements.

Initially, the painting was thought to represent the Journey of Empress Maria of Austria from Prague to Madrid. This interpretation, proposed by Tormo in 1917, was based on romantic but erroneous descriptions. It was believed to depict the Empress, accompanied by her daughter, the young Archduchess Margaret, and their retinue.  However, key iconographic details, such as the silhouette of the fortified city of Brussels in the background and the identification of the main figures as Albert and Isabella, allowed for the painting’s true subject to be revealed.

The work indeed portrays Albert and Isabella, sovereigns of the Netherlands, leading a religious procession toward the sanctuary of Laeken, located near Brussels. This site was particularly venerated, especially by pregnant women, due to a fertility cult relic. Confronted with issues of infertility, the Archdukes began walking to the sanctuary every Saturday from 1601 onwards. The painting depicts them at the head of their retinue, which includes members of their court. It serves as both a testament to the Archdukes’ religious devotion and their role as rulers of the Netherlands.

The composition of the painting likely draws inspiration from a famous engraving by Jan Collaert, based on a design by Otto van Veen and published in 1600 by the editor Moretus. This connection reinforces the idea that Van der Beken sought to portray a contemporary event while relying on renowned artistic models.

Today, the large canvas is displayed in the Flemish Paintings Room of the Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales in Madrid (November 2024).

Related links

Bibliography

• A. García Sanz and M.L. Sánchez Hernández (2009): Guide: Royal convents of Madrid: las Descalzas reales and la Encarnación, Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, p. 41.
• C. Iglesias (ed) (2005): Catálogo Exposición: El mundo que vivió Cervantes, Sociedad Estatal de Conmemoraciones Culturales, Zaragoza, p. 351, il. cat. 122.
• J.J. Garcés (1969): El museo madrileño de las Descalzas Reales, Prensa Ibérica, Madrid, pp. 81-2;91-2.
• E. Tormo y Monzó (1917): En las Descalzas Reales: estudios históricos, iconográficos y artísticos, vol. 1, Blass y Cia., Madrid, pp. 162-164, il. 48-49.

Locations

• Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, Madrid (Spain) (Inventory number: 00612350)