The extraordinary Art Nouveau winter garden of the Ursuline nuns
Near Mechelen, the vast complex of school and cloister buildings of the Ursuline Institute of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, founded in 1840, reveals a remarkable combination of styles as varied as neo-classicism, neo-Gothic, neo-Romanesque and Empire style. But it was not until 1900 that the site was joined by what would become its jewel: a huge Art Nouveau winter garden, which immerses visitors in its magical atmosphere.
This enchanting place, crowned by a cupola with multi-coloured stained glass windows, was the « calling card » of the boarding school for young girls. Strangely enough, the architect of this jewel remains unknown to this day, although his work bears witness to a rare mastery.
The magnificent glass cupola displays the main characteristics of this decorative movement, which developed at an international level: the use of glass and wrought iron, a plant and floral repertoire and the use of curved « whiplash » lines. Its colourful stained glass windows represent Morning, Day and Evening, a popular Art Nouveau theme.
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