Louizalaan

In 1566, sermons were held in many places. We are deep into the period of the Reformation. It is also in this context that we must see Bruegel's work, "The Preaching of John the Baptist."

According to Lucas Catherine, the preaching, of which Bruegel was presumably a witness, took place in the so-called 'Bosch van Heeghde', now at the location of the Louisalaan, but then located outside the city walls. Bruegel's John the Baptist was actually named Nicolaas van der Elst, a well-known sermon preacher.

In his beautiful book about Bruegel, Leo Spaepen explains the contrast between the panicky letters that Governor Margaret of Parma writes about the sermons to her half-brother Philip II in Spain, and the restrained atmosphere radiating from Bruegel's painting:

'In most places, people live without law, without faith, and without king, for they no longer have respect for religion and for the guidelines of Your Majesty, and they also no longer obey justice or the magistrates.'

Dromos