All About Royal Families

Bernard van Orley - statue of a painter in Brussels - Jardin du Petit Sablon  One of the most productive and leading court painters of the Habsburgs was Bernard van Orley (1487/1491 till January 6th. 1541). During his life he painted on canvases, worked with tapestry and  even on stained glass.  Bernard van Orley was born and he died in Brussels, he also served as commissioner of the arts for the Brussels town council.  possible portrait of Bernard van Orley made by Albrecht Dürer: Wikipedia On May 23rd. 1518, Bernard van Orley was appointed as the official  court painter of the regent of the Netherlands: Margarete of Austria Then he made inter alia  portraits of Emperor Charles V This year I had the chance to visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels where two of his portraits were shown Bernard van Orley - Joris van Zelle Bernard van Orley - Portrait of the secretary of Emperor Charles V Nowadays his works are spread o

St. Rumbold's Cathedral, in Mechelen, is one of the most iconic buildings of Belgium. The cathedral also has a great history and even a huge art collection. St. rumbold's Cathedral - Mechelen - Belgium History The construction of St. Rumbold's started shortly after 1200 and it was used as a church around 1312. In 1342, a fire broke out and Jean d'Oisy managed the repairs in High Gothic Style. St. Rumbold's Cathedral wit Maria of Austria Statue in Mechelen Between 1452-1520 the tower was built. Pilgrims financed it and later the city of Mechelen did. In 1559 the church became a cathedral. The interior has a Baroque high altar and choir, as well as paintings made by inter alia: Anthony van Dyck and Michiel Coxie. Choir St. Rumbold's Cathedral Some facts The unfinished Tower of the St. Rumbold's Cathedral is now a World Heritage monument. It is 97,28 meters high and it counts 514 steps. The carillon's set con

Anne of Cleves was born on September 22nd. 1515 in Düsseldorf, then a part of the Holy Roman Empire, now located in Germany. Family Her parents were John III, Duke of Cleves and Maria of Jülich-Berg. Anne of Cleves grow up at Schloss Berg near Solingen. Love and Marriage On January 6th. 1540, King Henry VIII of England married Anne of Cleves. When the King met his wife for the first time he didn't like her at all! Their marriage didn't last long. In July 1540, King Henry VIII asked for a divorce. Anne received a lot of money and she could live in some mansions like: Hever Castle; Richmond Castle ... Anne received the title: "Sister of the King". She was a welcome guest at the Royal Court. Death On July 16th 1557, Anne of Cleves died in England at the age of 41. She was buried in Westminster Abbey. Source picture: Wikipedia