1888 Polydore de Keyser - Dendermonde - Belgium, Jan Verhas, 1891

Dendermonde - belgium description: this painting was created as a reminder of the honor that dendermonde paid to sir polydore de keyser by organizing a ros beiaard parade on august 26 and 27, 1888 on the occasion of the visit of the lord mayor (1887-88) of london to his native city. The painting shows us the arrival on the grote markt of the 'city of london' float (with the bust of p. De keyser) and of the ros beiaard, ridden by the four heemskinderen (pieters brothers). In the foreground a large crowd watches closely. Against the facade of the town hall, decorated with english flags, there is a large grandstand with the lord mayor and his entourage in the center. Below the second window from the right we notice the characteristic 'head' of emanuel hiel, with his friend peter benoit (with bowler hat) behind him. The painter situates himself and his daughter in the front right. Following a proven recipe, jan verhas has portrayed several other recognizable figures among the spectators. Signature center right: jan verhas 1891. Date: 1891.