On 21 July 1946 then Mayor Camille Huysmans opened the Rubens House (Rubenshuis) as a museum in Antwerp. This, of course, is an excuse for events and celebrations. 

The mansion at the Wapper was Peter Paul Rubens‘ actual home and studio. Inspired by his voyages in Italy, Rubens redesigned and redecorated his home as a palazzo, with a workshop, a garden and sculpture garden. 

Rubens’s children sold the place and from the 18th century onward, many transformations where made. Only parts of the attic and the garden wall are original. The Hercules sculpture is authentic as well. 

Rubens was also an art collector, with works by Titian, Tintoretto and Anthony Van Dyck. But most of it was sold by his heirs. 

75th Anniversary 

2021 is the 75th anniversary of the museum. The pandemic makes a big exhibition impossible to organise, but something will be done in the garden.

New acquisitions 

The Rubens House has acquired new artworks and will present them this year. It is also developing a new visitors’ entrance, which should be ready by 2024. 

Source: Gazet van Antwerpen