Avondstonden

In the cramped, weather‑worn houses of Antwerp’s Hospital Quarter, a modest widow ekes out a humble existence with the help of her only son, Quinten. He is a gifted smith, his deft hands turning raw iron into exquisite works that bring a rare sparkle to their modest home. Their days are marked by quiet devotion: the mother’s prayers and the son’s tireless labor, each act a testament to love and perseverance amid poverty.

One bleak Monday morning the rhythm shatters when Quinten lies lifeless on his mother’s bed, his once‑strong frame reduced to a gaunt, trembling shell. As the widow’s tears flow, a strange, almost reverent calm settles over the dying boy, hinting at a deeper unrest that transcends ordinary illness. The scene is suffused with an eerie blend of sorrow and mystery, inviting listeners to wonder what unseen force has drawn Quinten so close to the brink of death.