Malines Cathedral, Belgium, Antique Steel Engraving by J.J. Crew, circa 1877

The massive square tower of the cathedral of Malines rises high above a crowded old street in this upright steel engraving, its enormous clock dials and tall pointed openings dwarfing the stepped gables below. In the foreground the cobbled street is busy with townspeople in caps and shawls, women carrying baskets, and covered wagons drawn into the shade. Smoke drifts from the chimneys, shop signs and an awning hang from the houses on the right, and a bright sky with drifting clouds sets off the pale stone of the tower.

The plate is lettered "The Cathedral, Malines." Malines is the French name of Mechelen in Belgium, and its cathedral of St. Rumbold is famous for its great west tower, which was planned to carry a spire that was never built, leaving the tower with its distinctive flat top. The drawing is credited on the sheet to J.L. Wood and the engraving to J.J. Crew, and the imprint is that of Cassell, Petter & Galpin of London.

This is a steel engraving printed in black ink on wove paper, without color. Crew contrasts the light, finely ruled stonework of the tower with the dark, richly textured street, so that the tower seems to rise straight out of the town's daily life.

The tall, narrow format suits a column of wall between windows or a hallway, and it would combine well with other Belgian or Dutch town views in matching frames.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.