Saint Bartholomew’s Church

Horror depicted in Baroque style, clearly on display in Sint-Bartholomeuskerk in the picturesque community of Geraardsbergen where a master painted the particularly piteous martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew.

The surprisingly beautiful Gothic church was built mainly between 1476 and 1617. In the 1700s it was given a Baroque appearance and in the late 19th century it was restored in neo-Gothic style. It contains colourful murals and has a stunning interior, thanks in part to the Baroque pulpit.

Horrific torture and no one seems to care. Surrounded by his mocking executioners, the pitiful Bartholomew struggles through his final hours. This anonymous master distances himself somewhat from the pervasive influence of Rubens. He opens up the composition and places the characters within a more extensive landscape. The painter pays particular attention to the cohesion between bright pinks, deep blues and muted oranges. This altarpiece merges Antwerp style early Baroque and Roman high Baroque.