Flemish school: The moon extinguishers, oil on canvas, 18th C.

Work: 113,5 x 83,5 cm

Frame: 125 x 93,5 cm

The story of the 'Maneblussers':

In the night of 27 to 28 January 1687, a resident of Mechelen stepped out of a pub and he thought the city tower was on fire; he immediately raised the alarm. In no time the whole city was in an uproar and the alarm bell was rung. The city council, headed by the mayor, rushed to the scene of the disaster and began organizing the extinguishing works at great speed. Buckets of water passed from hand to hand like a chain along the tower steps, but before reaching the top, the moon slid through the mist and the brave 'Malines' had to admit that they had only seen the reddish nebulae of the moon. After all, the moonlight shone through the windows of the cathedral and the low clouds stood at the level of the bell windows in the St. Rumbold's Tower, giving the impression that smoke was coming from the tower. Although they tried to keep things quiet, the people of Mechelen could not prevent being laughed at heartily even across the borders. 'Maneblusser' became very fast a popular nickname for a resident of Mechelen. The nickname is still used today and worn with great pride.