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⛪ St. James' Church in Antwerp, renowned as the final resting place of Rubens 👨‍🎨, is undergoing extensive restoration 🛠️—and so are its treasured artworks. 🖼️ Among them is ‘Peter’s Appointment as Chief Shepherd of the Church’ (1616–1617) by another heavyweight of Antwerp Baroque, Flemish master Jacob (or Jacques) Jordaens (1593–1678). 🎨 In the coming months, this masterpiece will receive a much-needed facelift. ✨ 👀 Visitors have a unique opportunity to witness its transformation up close, as the restoration takes place in an open studio at the Snijders&Rockoxhuis—a fitting setting 🏡, as the museum 🏛️ occupies the former homes of Antwerp mayor and art collector Nicolaas Rockox 📜 and Flemish master Frans Snijders 🖌️, both contemporaries of Jordaens. The meticulous restoration process involves: 🧼 Removing surface dirt, Stripping old varnish and discoloured retouches, 🧩 Filling gaps, 🎨 Retouching wear, ✨ Applying a fresh layer of varnish. Once fully restored, the monumental painting will remain on display until the end of the year before returning to the church. 🖼️ Interestingly, Jordaens didn’t originally create it for a church but as a grand chimney mantelpiece for the private home 🏠 of an Antwerp tapestry maker 🧵 and dealer. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the work found its way into St. James' Church, adding yet another chapter 📖 to its rich history. 📷 1/ © AG Vespa 2+3/ © Snijders&Rockoxhuis #JacobJordaens #FlemishMasters #Baroque #17thcentury #17thcenturyart #ArtConservation #VisitAntwerp #VisitFlanders #VisitBelgium #Belgium