Unknown cabinetmaker and Victor Wolfvoet II, Cabinet

An art cabinet was a great way to make a statement. In the 17th century, this precious piece of furniture –with its many hidden drawers, compartments and works of art – was a coveted item in all upstanding households. Many of the mythological scenes on this cabinet were inspired by Rubens’s compositions.   

 

Unknown cabinetmaker and Victor Wolfvoet II (1612-1652)  

Cabinet  

Circa 1640 

Ebony, lime wood and oil on copper 

 

In storage

Unknown cabinetmaker and Victor Wolfvoet II, Cabinet

Whether this cabinet had a place in Rubens’s own home remains to be seen. However, many of the painted scenes on the cabinet doors are inspired by Rubens’s oeuvre, like the two Greek mythical figures, Meleager and Atalanta, depicted on the lid during the hunt for the Calydonian boar.

Onbekende meubelmaker en Victor Wolfvoet II, Kunstkast (detail), circa 1640, Rubenshuis, publiek domein
Antwerp, a city famous for its cantoren

The hunt was a success because Meleager is seen presenting the boar’s head to Atalanta on the right front door. Roman and Greek mythology often were a source of inspiration for these kinds of cabinets, also known as ‘cantoren’. Most of them came from Antwerp. In the 17th century, the city became the most important international manufacturing centre for these cabinets.

Onbekende meubelmaker en Victor Wolfvoet II, Kunstkast (detail), circa 1640, Rubenshuis, publiek domein
Seaworthy

These cabinets were shipped to different countries out of Antwerp, which is why they had to be able to withstand major temperature swings and high humidity. That is why they were often glued with ebony, and the scenes were painted on copper. The Antwerp cabinets, in particular, stood out because of their opulent decoration.

Cabinet of curiosities

These cabinets were made of precious types of wood and came in different sizes, from more discreet table models to statement pieces of furniture. But they were always ingeniously designed, with many drawers and hidden compartments. Collectors like Rubens used them to store smaller pieces of art and unique collectables such as ancient coins and carvings and even shells and jewellery. This explains why they are called ‘cabinets of curiosities’.

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