The loggia belonged to Den Grooten Sot, one of the most important Antwerp patrician houses of the 16th century and situated in the Sint-Jacobsmarkt. In 1545 Willem de Moelnere, rentmeester (stewart) of the city of Antwerp acquired the building. Four years later, the construction of a modern loggia in one of the inner courts was commissioned by his son Dierick.
Pieter Coecke van Aelst (1502-1550), painter, architect, designer and author designed the loggia. It is today the state-of-the-art sample of mannerist stylistic elements in the Southern Netherlands: an abundant use of fauna and flora, shells, scrollwork, satyrs and caryatids, cartouches and wagons.
All eight original relief panels and the complete supporting structure of the loggia have been kept. Four life-size satyrs carrying the structure attract all attention. Colour investigation proved the loggia to have been polychrome and possibly recoated several times.
The wooden loggia is one of the most remarkable constructions of 16th century Antwerp and is today the masterpiece by excellence of the MAS.
longueur: 229 cm (muurstijl) largeur: 35 cm (muurstijl) profondeur: 14.5 cm (muurstijl) hauteur: 387 cm (geheel) largeur: 800 cm (geheel) profondeur: 188 cm (geheel)
