Jan Cosijn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jan Cosijn, Jan Cosijn or Jan Cosyns (in French language literature referred to as Jean Cosyn or Jean Cosyns)[1] (baptised in Brussels on 4 March 1646 – Brussels, late March 1708) was a Flemish sculptor and architect active in Brussels. He produced statuary for churches as well as architectural designs and decorative elements for the reconstruction of the Grand-Place/Grote Markt (main square) in Brussels.[2] He further carved delicate ivory reliefs.[3]
Very little is known about Cosijn's life. He was the son of Jan Cosijn and Catharina Provoost.[2] He apprenticed with the master sculptor Aert Moerevelt starting from early 1659. He was admitted in 1678 as a master in the Vier Gekroonden, the Brussels guild of masons, sculptors, stonemasons and shale masons.[4]
On 28 May 1689, Jan Cosijn married Willelmijne van Mierlo (Eindhoven, 1667–Brussels, 1703). His wife was a niece of Elisabeth van Mierlo, the wife of the architect Willem de Bruyn (1649–1719), who played an important in the reconstruction of Brussels after the bombardment of 1695.[2]
He died in 1708 and was buried in the Church of St. Gaugericus in Brussels. When this church was demolished during the French period in the history of Belgium (1798–1801), the tomb was transferred to the Church of St. Michael and St. Gudula (now Brussels' cathedral). It bears his initials "IC" and an inscription that has become illegible, surrounded by the symbols of his craft: hammer, chisel, trowel, shop hook and plumb line.
