The complete restoration of St. James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) in the centre of Antwerp is in full swing. This also includes the restoration of many works of art from the church, including a masterpiece by the Antwerp painter Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens. For the occasion, it is being restored exceptionally on location, in the Snijders&Rockoxhuis. Visitors to that museum can follow the restoration ‘live’ in an open studio.

The Gothic St. James’ Church has an intact 17th and 18th century baroque interior and houses, among other things, the burial chapel of Pieter Paul Rubens. The rich art collection with many valuable paintings, grave monuments and church furniture makes this monumental church an art and cultural-historical heritage. With the support of Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen, the complete restoration started in 2019.

Restoration of artwork

In addition to the church building itself, the artworks present are also being taken care of.

The restoration of the masterpiece ‘The appointment of Peter as chief shepherd of the Church‘ by the Antwerp painter Jacques Jordaens (1593-1678) will take approximately five months.

Thanks to the hospitable Snijders&Rockoxhuis museum, the public can follow the work as it is being done. In an open studio, restorers Caroline Meert, Sara Dewilde and Kaat Sneiders are working on the painting.

• They are removing the surface dirt on the painting and the frame;
• Old layers of varnish, discoloured retouches and disruptive fillings are removed;
• New fillings are applied, gaps and wear are retouched where necessary;
• Finally, the painting is given a new layer of varnish.

Alderman for Culture Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit): “It is very important that Jordaens’ work does not disappear into a studio somewhere for five months, but that every Antwerp resident can come and discover this fascinating restoration process. Because art is there to be experienced, preferably by as many people as possible.” Just as during the restoration of the church, AG Vespa and Steenmeijer architects are strongly committed to public access. In order to introduce the public as much as possible to the art of painting restoration, additional activities such as lectures are organised in collaboration with the restorers and the Snijders&Rockoxhuis. More information can be found at www.snijdersrockoxhuis.be.” ​

The restorers are always working on Thursdays, Fridays and one day in the weekend.

After the restoration, visitors can still admire the painting in all its glory in the museum for a while, until the end of 2025. Then it will be transferred back to its familiar place in the Sint-Jacobskerk.

Alderman for Religious Services Stijn De Rooster (N-VA): “While we wait to see the opulent St. James’ Church shine again in all its baroque and marble glory, we are taking advantage of a great opportunity in the unparalleled Snijders&Rockoxhuis to present a masterpiece by Jordaens in a unique way to make it accessible.” 

“This brushwork by Jordaens is one for eternity, but even the greatest masters of the Antwerp school do not escape the ravages of time. In the coming months, the three painting doctors will work with great expertise, care and precision in their public operating theatre to make this Flemish masterpiece breathe again. Or how restoration also provides respiration. The result will be a work of art and will clearly highlight the genius of Jordaens. I therefore hope that the broad public access in the Snijders&Rockoxhuis will inspire the St. James’ Church to give as many visitors as possible the opportunity to come and admire the restored painting as often as possible.”

17th century masterpiece

This masterpiece by Jordaens, recognised as a Flemish masterpiece, was created around 1616-1617 by the then young artist. Characteristic are the mannerist features in shapes and colours and also the powerful heads that he painted characteristically, especially at the beginning of his career. The appointment of Peter as the supreme pastor of the Church is a biblical subject, but the scene with fishermen seems to be taken from life.

The work was probably not originally intended as an altarpiece for a church or chapel. The landscape format and dimensions (208 x 235 cm) correspond to a mantelpiece, such as one with this subject mentioned in the estate inventory of tapestry maker and dealer Michiel Wauters who died in 1679. Jordaens painted a great deal for the wealthy citizens of Antwerp. The work of art was donated to the St. Jacob’s Church by a parishioner in 1844.

Jordaens’ painting is exceptionally presented in the museum next to a tapestry from the KBC art collection. 

This carpet, made around 1660 by the Brussels weaver Matthijs Roelants (1602-1663 ) after designs by Jordaens, shows a scene from ‘The History of Charlemagne‘, namely Bertruda obtains the hand of Desiderata for her son. This special work also undergoes a careful restoration treatment, carried out in collaboration with the Conservation and Restoration students of the University of Antwerp.

Art and museums in Antwerp

• ANTWERP | ‘Compassion’ in the MAS: the many faces of compassion.
• 2025 at the museums of Antwerp.
• 2025 at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA): René Magritte, Marthe Donas, Panamarenko, Hans Op de Beeck.
• ANTWERP | Graphics Museum De Reede ft. Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, Félicien Rops and Albrecht Dürer.
• ANTWERP | Rubens Experience and Rubens Garden at Rubenshuis.
• Antwerp will have a new Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp M HKA.
• ANTWERP | Innovations in the Middelheim Museum provide a completely new visitor experience.
• A visit of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum – Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (VlaTAM) in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Discovering queer(ed) art with the Queer Tour at the KMSKA fine arts museum.
• REVIEW | Illusion Antwerpen, an active and photogenic museum.
• Antwerp museums and sports facilities team up with European Disability Card for accessible leisure activities.
• Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
• ANTWERP | Inside Rubens House.
• Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Vleeshuis up for restoration.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Red Star Line Museum.
• Paleis op de Meir. 
• DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds.
• ANTWERP | Red Star Line Museum of (e)migration.