Van Hoof, Yvonne ; Deckers, Edward ; Royers, Juliette

ROYERS, Juliette; VAN HOOF, Yvonne. DECKERS, Edward (after) Triptych with fireworks in Antwerp honoring the American flag after World War I. [1918] Embroidery on silk, 83 x 48 cm (central panel), 70 x 34 cm (side panels), 142 x 140 cm (triptych with frame), signature and text "Anvers, par le feu d'artifice tiré de sa Tour, rend hommage au Drapeau Américain. / Yvonne van Hoof // 1914 1918 / Edward Deckers // Antwerpen huldigt in zijn torenvuurwerk de Amerikaansche Vlag. / Juliette Royers" (some losses, few scratches, few spots). Mounted on panel. Gilt sculpted frames with the American eagle and the United States motto "E pluribus unum" (sm. parts missing). Remarkable folding screen with Our Lady's Cathdral in Antwerp and the coats of arms of Belgium and Antwerp. The fireworks were launched from the tower to pay hommage to the American flag in gratitute for the support from the United States during World War I. This included not only military support (1917-1918), but also major food supplies through the Commission for Relief in Belgium (1914-1919). The latter gave rise to many embroidered textiles, but rarely as monumental and refined as this signed triptych, designed by the Antwerp sculptor Edward Deckers (1873-1956) and embroidered by Juliette Royers and Yvonne van Hoof.