Waterput Quinten Matsijs

sketchfab

This magnificent water feature is nestled conveniently near the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, yet it frequently escapes the attention of travelers. The Gothic iron craftsmanship for this well was created by Quinten Matsijs in 1490, who is more commonly recognized as a Master Painter and the founder of the renowned Antwerp School. It is said that when the young Matsijs first arrived in Antwerp as a blacksmith, he fell deeply in love with Catherina Heyns, the daughter of a skilled fine arts painter. However, her father believed that a smith was not worthy of his daughter's standing. Matsijs therefore retrained as an artist (eventually becoming one of the most celebrated painters of his time) and thus earned approval to marry Catherina. The Neo-Gothic well itself, designed by the city’s master builder Gustave Royers in 1900, pays tribute to this anecdote. The inscription reads: “The iron work for this well was crafted by Quinten Matsijs. Love transformed the smith into a painter.”