Flemish sculptor. He learned his trade in several atelier, one of these was the atelier of the Mechelen artist Boeckstuyns. He also worked under the Antwerp sculptors Michiel van der Voort, Jan Claudius de Cock (1668-1736) and Willem Ignatius Kerricx. His best works are in the Church of St John in Mechelen, but he enjoyed a reputation in Flanders far outside his native city.
The pulpit depicts an expressive Christ, represented as the Good Shepherd, standing underneath the pulpit. It is a well-known image of Christianity, parish priests also have to be good shepherds for their flock. The three men represent the three ages of man: everyone no matter their age should follow Jesus.
Verhaegen’s best works are in the Church of St John in Mechelen. The pulpit depicts an expressive Christ as Good Shepherd.
A good example of the skill of Verhaegen is the gigantic pulpit of the Church of Hanswijk that seems to carry many elements of naturalism. The nearly nude Eve reveals his preference for the female figure.
Verhaegen enjoyed a reputation far outside his native Mechelen in Flanders. The pulpit in Lokeren is worth to mention amoaang his works.
The pulpit depicts an expressive Christ, represented as the Good Shepherd, standing underneath the pulpit. It is a well-known image of Christianity, parish priests also have to be good shepherds for their flock. The three men represent the three ages of man: everyone no matter their age should follow Jesus.
Verhaegen’s best works are in the Church of St John in Mechelen. The two benches of the churchwardens, situated near the pillars of the presbytery, are decorated with splendid bas-reliefs, especially the southern bench. The northern bench features scenes from the life of Christ. The quality of this work is lower which might be because the master suffered from a nervous disease and had to leave the work to his pupils.
The picture shows a detail of the bas-reliefs of the southern bench. It depicts St John the Evangelist.
