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Rubens

He was capable of everything and knew everything. He was a brilliant and versatile artist, run a large studio, spoke several languages, collected art, designed his own home, travelled around Europe as a diplomat and was interested in science. Rubens was well-versed in almost everything.

His life

Probably nobody could have predicted predict when Peter Paul Rubens was born in the sixteenth century that his name would resonate well into the twenty-first century. Then again Rubens never went out of fashion in the last 400 years. He is probably one of the most versatile artists ever.

From artist's residence to museum

In 1610, Rubens purchased a house with land along Wapper in Antwerp. He drew the plans himself for its extension, which fulfilled the wishes of the artist, businessman, family man and art collector that he was.

Helena Fourment

Portrait of Rubens's second wife, summer of 1637

My sisters have married dignified gentlemen. But I, the youngest of them all, have been married to the most famous man in Antwerp for over six years. Why he chose me, you ask? He told me once. Because he had already painted me even before I was born. I am the blonde saint in the painting above his mother's grave. The nymph he immortalised in Italy.

Isabella Brant

A portrait of Rubens's first wife, 1625

Isabella Brant, Peter Paul Rubens's first wife. They married on 13 October 1609 in St. Michael's Abbey and had three children: Clara, Albert and Nicolaas.

Clara Serena Rubens

Clara Serena, the sweet and lively eldest daughter of Peter Paul Rubens and Isabella Brant. She had a delightful childhood. In 1623, she suddenly fell ill.

"Rubens in private" reveals erotic background in "The Fur"

"The Fur" was examined in view of "Rubens in private". An X-ray scanner revealed a fountain and a peeing boy under the dark background.

Jan I Bruegel

Monkeys' feasting (singerie)

Frans Snyders

Still-life with a hare, "tazza", grapes and lobster

Restored Jordaens painting reveals its secrets

After a twelve-month long restoration process, Jacob Jordaens's monumental painting "Neptune and Amphitrite" is once again on display in the Rubens House in all its colourful glory. The restoration also brought to light some surprising details.