The Holy Family at the time of the flight into Egypt

Behind the altar, you can see a huge painting over 13m high, the work of painter Antoine Wiertz. Nicknamed the “brush philosopher”, Antoine Wiertz was a Belgian painter and sculptor born in Dinant in 1806 and died in 1865 in his studio located in Ixelles, at 62 rue Vautier. The painting depicts “The Holy Family at the time of the flight into Egypt”. In the foreground is Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Family. At the bottom of the painting are the following comments from the artist: “The painter donated this painting on condition that it be replaced later with a better one. Doing well is only a matter of time.”