528 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. seventeenth century, but their extensive colonies gradually passed over to the English. vi. Historical. — The Spanish occupation of the Netherlands, and the consequent influence of Spanish art in the sixteenth century, together with the loss of liberty under Charles V., and the ultimate expulsion of the Spaniards in 1648, must all be taken into account in this section. Belgium, as a Catholic country and a Spanish province from a.d. 1506-1712, remained under the rule of Spain, when Holland freed herself under the House of Orange. 2. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER. Refer to pages 439, 442. Belgian examples are wild and licentious, but picturesque in the matter of design ; while Dutch examples are plain, often approaching dulness. The design of houses and fittings received a large amount of attention, and details of internal work, including furniture, were perfected. Brick received its due prominence in this domestic style. 3. EXAMPLES. The Town Hall, Antwerp, erected by de Vriendt in a.d. 1565 (No. 233), is one of the most important buildings, the richness and prosperity of this particular city contributing not a little to the execution of this fine work. An order, or row of columns, and mullioned windows were employed in each upper story, the whole design being placed on a sturdy rusticated basement, and crowned by a high-pitched roof with dormer windows. The Hotel du Saumon, Malines, the Ancien Greffe, Bruges, the Archbishop's Palace, Liege, the Stadthaus, Amsterdam (only worthy of mention for its great size), the Hague Town Hall (a.d. 1565), and Leyden Town Hall (a.d. 1579) (No. 232 g) are other examples. Among recent works, the Palais de Justice, Brussels, in the Neo-Grec style, by Polaert, is an imposing edifice. Domestic Architecture. — Although there are few large or important works erected during the Renaissance period in north- west Europe, still great benefit may be derived from studying much of the domestic and civic architecture ; for while wandering through the streets of these old-world towns, many charming specimens of street architecture, executed in bright red brick, with occasional stone courses and dressings, and with additional ornament of gracefully-designed iron ties (No. 234 d), are met with. In the design of the gables, much originality of treatment is found (No. 232 d, g), leaning rather towards the work found in
