Within the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Antwerp (Belgium) is a beautiful set of Solemn Mass vestments that they call the Rubensgewaad (Ruben vestments). These particular vestments are liturgically rose in colour and come from the 18th century. Specifically the silk itself is dated to the year 1768, while the actual embroidered orphrey is dated a few decades earlier, completed in the year 1721. (This disparity of dates may well explain why we have an apparently Easter themed orphrey design that has been paired with a colour reserved for Gaudete and Laetare Sunday during Advent and Lent; it is possible that the orphrey was originally intended for a white or gold Easter vestment. That said, I must hasten to add that there really are no formal rules around images and colour pairings like this, just trends.)
For those wondering why these vestments reference the artist Peter Paul Rubens (+1640), it is because the needle-painted image found in the medallion of the rear orphrey depicts an image of Christ's Resurrection that is based after a painting by Rubens, "The Resurrection." (See below)
While we are on the topic of the rear orphrey, I would point out a wonderful detail: the inclusion of the four symbols of the Angel, Lion, Ox and Eagle that represent the Four Evangelists -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- and their respective gospels.
Now then, enough about the background of the set and some of its particulars; without further ado, here are the various pieces taken from the set which include a chasuble, dalmatic, tunicle and cope.
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| Photo credit: © KIKIRPA, Bruxelles, Katrien Van Acker |
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| Photo credit: © KIKIRPA, Bruxelles, Katrien Van Acker |
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| Photo credit: © KIKIRPA, Bruxelles, Katrien Van Acker |
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| Photo credit: ©️ Chris Van Vliet |
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