The Solemn Inauguration of University of Ghent by the Prince of Orange in the Throne Room of the Town Hall on 9 October 1817

Mattheus Ignatius van Bree, 1817 - 1830

Inauguration of the University of Ghent by the Prince of Orange in the throne room of the town hall, 9 October 181, by M.I. van Bree. Education played a major role in William I's attempt to promote national unity - from nursery school to university. The North had three universities (Leiden, Utrecht and Groningen). Since the French occupation the South no longer had any. Three universities were therefore established by Royal Decree: at Louvain, Liège and Ghent. The crown prince (the future King William II) is seated to the left of an empty throne above which is a portrait of King William I. He is listening to a speech by the commissioner general of Public Education, Science and Art. At his side are the vice chancellor, the mayor of Ghent and the president of the board of curators.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-4088
  • Dimensionsheight 52 cm x width 66 cm, depth 6 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on panel

Identification

  • Title(s)

    The Solemn Inauguration of University of Ghent by the Prince of Orange in the Throne Room of the Town Hall on 9 October 1817

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-4088

  • Description

    De plechtige installatie van de Universiteit van Gent door de prins van Oranje (later koning Willem I) in de troonzaal van het stadhuis op 9 oktober 1817. Gezicht in het interieur van het stadhuis van Gent waar een grote groep mensen is verzameld voor het bijwonen van de plechtigheid. Op een verhoging zitten de kroonprins en de andere belangrijke gasten, hierboven een groot schilderij onder een baldakijn. Aan weerszijden van het podium staan twee leeuwen opgesteld met een lans met vaandel en schild met de letter W. Voorstudie voor een groter schilderij.


Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Mattheus Ignatius van Bree

  • Dating

    1817 - 1830

  • Search further with


Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on panel

  • Dimensions

    • height 52 cm x width 66 cm
    • depth 6 cm

This work is about

  • Person

  • Subject

  • Place

  • Period

    1817-10-09


Acquisition and rights

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1962

  • Copyright

  • Provenance

    …; collection Dr Med. Heinz Egon Thobald, Wuppertal-Barmen;{Note RMA.}…; purchased from the dealer Franz Hardy, Hans Christophorus, Bendorf-Rhein, by the museum, 1962

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.


Documentation

  • Documentatiemap Schilderijen: correspondentie over identificatie van het gebouw met dhr. H. Wittocx, Merksen, 1963 (waaronder uittreksel Hymans 1884/1887); foto.


Persistent URL