The Edict[s] of Charles V, Jan August Hendrik Leys, circa 1861

Baron leys was regarded as belgium's foremost artist in the mid 19th century. About 1851, he adopted a deliberately archaizing style resulting in part from a visit to germany in 1852. This scene is set in the artist's native antwerp, identifiable because of the famous church spire in the distance. Between 1520 and 1550, charles v, emperor of the holy roman empire, issued 11 edicts making the practice of protestantism a crime punishable by death. Antwerp, served as a major center of learning and finance that had attracted many foreigners, especially jews and protestants. Object Type: painting. Date: circa 1861. Place of creation: Picardy. Dimensions: height: 138 cm (54.3 in); width: 245 cm (96.4 in); Framed height: 182.9 cm (72 in); width: 280.7 cm (110.5 in); depth: 12.7 cm (5 in). Medium: oil on panel. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Jean August Hendrik Leys - The Edict-s- of Charles V - Walters 37123 - Detail B