St Lucasgilde Antwerpen

Guild of Saint Luke Antwerp

The Guild of Saint Luke was the name of several brotherhoods in different cities that were concerned with the protection of artists in that city. The first Guild of Saint Luke was founded in Antwerp in 1382, not yet under that name. The Guild of Saint Luke was involved in the arts and crafts, such as gold and silversmithing. The existence of the guilds continues into the 18th century. The Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp is probably one of the oldest in the Low Countries. Because the Guild of Saint Luke had artists as well as craftsmen under it, this led to conflicts and eventually the guild's dissolution.