Saint Saviour’s Church

Theodoor Canneel (1817-1892)

Murals

Eric Bauwens

Sleepstraat 216, Gent

Theodoor Canneel’s plan was to create a chapel as a comprehensive work of art. Discover its neo-Byzantine murals under a radiant starry sky. The image of ‘Christ giving his blessing’ rising up no less than 5 m high is particularly impressive. Sitting on his throne he is able to see everyone who enters this precious edifice.

Muurschilderingen, Theodoor Canneel, Gent

Eric Bauwens

Saint Saviour’s Church

The church is also known in Ghent as the ‘Heilige Kerstkerk’ (Holy Christmas Church) and commonly referred to as the ‘Schipperskerk’ (Skippers’ Church) where Ghent bargee families gather for births, marriages and funerals, or simply to attend weekly Mass. It is no coincidence that a fragment of a ship can be found on the square in front of the church.

Murals

In the mid-nineteenth century, the Ghent painter and academy director Theodoor Canneel designed neo-Byzantine murals for the walls of the church chancel. The main theme centres on a triumphant Christ as the saviour of the world. The entire church community has come to worship him. The paintings were recently restored. The colourful and atmospheric artwork, with numerous expressive figures, is once again shown to its full advantage.

Eric Bauwens