Beschrijving / Description
Statue of a nude woman, lying on her back in a fountain.
Gesigneerd / Signature
meysmans.
Informatiebord / Information Sign
FIERE MARGRIET
w. meysmans
35 j. handelaarsverbond
Aantekening / Annotation
Margaret worked as a teenage maid at inn in Leuven, owned by a relative named Aubert. Aubert and his wife eventually sold the inn, each planning to enter religious life; Margaret planned to become a Cistercian nun. On their last night in the inn, thieves broke in and killed the erstwhile owners while Margaret was out. She came home as the killers were leaving, and she was murdered, too. Her body was thrown into the river Dijle by her killers. It was found the next day floating against the current and she was buried beside the river.
According to other sources, the legend was first written in Caesarius († 1240), a Cistercian monk, who used the story to illustrate the virtue of simplicity.
The statue shows her floating in the river.
Kunstenaar / Artist
- Willy Meysmans (Mechelen 1930),
Belgian sculptor
(Biography).
Bronnen & informatie / Sources & Information
Trefwoorden / Tags
Locatie / Location (N 50°52'40" - E 4°42'12") (Satellite view: Google Maps)
Item Code: bevb008; Photograph: 31 October 2009
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt
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