Unique medieval murals visible again thanks to light projection in Laarne Castle
At Laarne Castle in East Flanders, murals from the 14th century have been brought back to life using digital techniques. An illustrator has recreated these murals, which are now projected onto the chapel's vault.
"They are unique because of their age and size," says Matthias Francken of Herita, the organisation that manages the castle. The murals depict a Biblical story and were covered with lime in the 17th century, later hidden beneath leather wallpaper. They were only rediscovered in 1963, with many parts missing.
"Nowhere else in Flanders has a chapel been preserved in a keep, especially one of this size and with seccos," Francken said. "Wall paintings in castles, city palaces and private chapels were common but rarely preserved due to their private nature."
Four Biblical scenes have now been brought to life through digital projection, thanks to a collaboration between Herita, Visit Flanders and the province of East Flanders. Art historian and illustrator Joris Snaet recreated the missing parts of the stories, which are projected onto the chapel's ceiling and walls.
Visitors start the projection by pressing a button, accompanied by the story of Knight Gerard van Massemen, who describes his chapel. "The construction of this chapel was a particularly prestigious project," Francken says. "The Count of Flanders believed the Lord of Laarne was overstepping his mark, as his chapel even surpassed that of the French king, which was truly unprecedented."
#FlandersNewsService | Larne Castle near Ghent © PHOTO ARTERRA
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