Belgian Funerary Hatchment - Van den Hecke - 1998

A large antique Belgian funerary hatchment (or Blazoen in Flemish), framed oil on panel. Salvaged from 'The Church of Our Lady of the Nativity', a Roman Catholic church in Ghent, Belgium, originally completed in 1868 on the site of an earlier church, dating back to 1731. The current church was designed by architect W.J. van Vogelpoel, and is now designated as a Municipal Monument (a listed building).  

This particular example would have been painted in 1998, and is the original produced following the death of Jacques van den Hecke, who was born in 1920 - son of Robert Alfred van den Hecke & Valerie van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie.  We also have the hatchment of his father & mother who passed in 1926 & 1956 respectively (see other listings). Jacques later became a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

A bright and vibrant piece, produced and signed by local artist W.R. Goffin, and was displayed in the church for approximately 20 years, prior to a major refurbishment in 2017.  We originally had 4 of these pieces, all different family members and with variations to the decoration (2 with added shields), one has sold, but we still have the husband, wife and son (1926, 1956 & 1998).

The practice of painting funerary hatchments dates back to at least the 17th Century.

Measures: 115cm wide x 115cm tall

UK DELIVERY OF THIS ITEM: Insured postal delivery of this item will be £30.