Guild of Romanists
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The Guild of Romanists was a 16th and 17th century society in Antwerp for humanists and artists; it was a condition of membership that the member had visited Rome. Deans were appointed annually. It was "where 'art-pilgrims' met to keep themselves up to date on news from Rome, whether it be new painters or paintings, or newly discovered antiquities". It appears to have acted in some sense as an alternative to the long-established Antwerp painters' Guild of Saint Luke, to which all or most of its members also belonged, as his membership of the Romanists is given (together with his appointment as a Court painter) as a reason for Rubens being only made an honorary Dean of the Guild of St Luke.
The condition of having visited Rome to enjoy membership appears to have been strictly enforced, as art historians accept membership of the Guild as evidence of travels that are (in the case of Fyt etc) otherwise undocumented.
The Renaissance movement of Romanism in Netherlandish painting was reaching the end of its main period when the society began, but it probably paid a part in promoting the strong links between Italian and Flemish art in the Baroque period, under the dominating influence of Rubens.
Notable members
- Marten de Vos - Founder
- Jan Brueghel the Elder,1599
- Otto van Veen, Dean 1606
- Abraham Janssens, 1610 or 1601
- Hendrick van Balen, Dean 1613
- Pieter Paul Rubens, 1609, Dean 1613-14
- Frans Snyders, 1619, Dean 1629
- Jan Fyt, 1650, Dean 1652
- Wenceslas Cobergher, 1605
See also
- Chamber of rhetoric
- Antwerp school
- Bentvueghels Netherlandish artists' society in Rome
