The Paleis op de Meir

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The Paleis op de Meir
The Blauwe salon

The design for Antwerp's Paleis op de Meir dates from the second half of the 18th century, and was drawn up by the architect Jan-Peter van Baurscheit (1699-1768) for the rich merchant Johan-Alexander van Susteren. This new urban palace took its inspiration from French, Viennese and northern Dutch models. The imposing front facade, richly decorated with colossal pilasters topped with Corinthian capitals, was constructed entirely from various different types of natural German stone. Van Baurscheit's expertise in the rules governing the decorative forms of the 18th century was unparalleled during the period.

 

<i>Ceiling of the Maarschalk salon</i>” />Between 1811 and 1812, this beautiful building – and all its furniture – was purchased by the French emperor. At the time, Antwerp was one of the most important military ports in the French Empire and Napoleon was keen to spend as much time there as possible. His official architect, Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine (1762-1853), was charged with transforming the palace into an “imperial headquarters”. The entire building was renovated and redecorated in the Empire style with, on the first floor, a suite of imperial reception rooms and apartments which gave out onto the garden. The interior fabrics and imperial furniture were specially commissioned and installed for the site.<BR><BR> <BR><!-- /paragraph2 --></p> <p><!-- paragraph3 --><img decoding=

  • Paleis op de Meir

    Category:
    Museums, Stately Homes and Residences
    Region:
    Europe (outside France)
    Address:
    Meir 50


    2000 Antwerp, Belgium
    Access:
    General public
    Opening hours:
    Sunday 10.00 - 17.00
    Telephone:
    +32 (0)3 206 21 21
    Website:
    www.paleisopdemeir.be
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