ANTWERP | Graphics Museum De Reede ft. Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, Félicien Rops and Albrecht Dürer

On the day before Christmas Eve, I went to see the coming-out and coming-of-age film ‘Young Hearts‘ in Cinema Cartoons in Antwerp. Very nearby there is the relatively new Museum De Reede, which hosts until 31 March 2025 a temporary exhibition on Albrecht Dürer, who visited Antwerp in 1520.

Museum De Reede, located in the heart of Antwerp, is a unique institution dedicated to graphic art, focusing on the works of three renowned masters: Francisco Goya, Félicien Rops, and Edvard Munch.

Opened on Friday, 9 June 2017, the museum was established by entrepreneur Harry Rutten, a shipowner and oil trader who amassed his collection based on personal taste and fascination. The museum situates the works of these artists within their respective artistic and societal contexts while creating a dialogue with contemporary cultural expressions.

The genesis of Museum De Reede began in 2006 when parts of Rutten’s collection were successfully exhibited at the Charlier Museum in Brussels, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul, and the Haugar Vestfold Art Museum in Tønsberg in Norway.

Attracting approximately 100,000 visitors, these exhibitions inspired the idea of permanently displaying the collection.

Rutten, who had experienced difficulties with loans, donations, and museum management, decided to create his own museum. This initiative was also driven by the recognition that graphic art is often overlooked in museums, with masterpieces of engraving frequently stored away from public view.

De Reede

The museum’s name, ‘De Reede’ harks back to Antwerp’s maritime history, referencing the term used during the 16th and 17th centuries for an anchorage where ships prepared for their voyages.

This historical connection is further reinforced by the museum’s location in a modern building at Ernest van Dijckkaai 7, situated in an area with deep ties to shipping.

The building, designed by Antwerps Architecten Atelier and completed in 2000, stands on the former site of offices once used by companies engaged in inland navigation on the Rhine and other major rivers. Its proximity to other cultural institutions, including the Eugeen Van Mieghem Museum, the Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS), the Plantin-Moretus Museum, and the Silver and Diamond Museum DIVA, adds to its appeal.

Antwerp itself, with its centuries-old tradition of printmaking, was a fitting choice for the museum’s location. The city’s historical figures, such as Christoffel Plantijn and Jan Moretus, were pivotal in the development of printing, and Antwerp was also the site of a historic meeting in 1521 between master engravers Albrecht Dürer and Lucas van Leyden, during which they exchanged etching plates.

On paper

Museum De Reede’s collection is exclusively composed of works on paper, including lithographs, engravings, etchings, woodcuts, drawings, and watercolours. The focus on Goya, Munch, and Rops is evident in the museum’s holdings, which feature 32 lithographs by Munch, 37 etchings by Rops, and 140 etchings by Goya.

Among Goya’s works, selections from his iconic series ‘Los Caprichos‘, ‘Los Disparates‘, ‘Tauromaquia‘, and ‘Los Desastres de la Guerra‘ are permanently displayed.

The collection of works by Rops is further enriched through loans from private collectors. Thematically, the collection explores human shortcomings, fate, and la condition humaine, while the critical perspectives of these artists on the societies of their times serve as a unifying thread.

The museum operates by showcasing its permanent collection alongside temporary exhibitions that engage in dialogue with its core works.

Temporary exhibitions

The first temporary exhibition included pieces by 25 graphic artists from 1700 to the present, featuring renowned figures such as Fred Bervoets, Emiel Claus, Eugeen Van Mieghem, Kurt Peiser, and Käthe Kollwitz. The second exhibition highlighted the work of South Korean artist Chun Kwang Young, known for his pieces constructed from hanji, a traditional Korean paper made from mulberry bark.

In the spring of 2018, the museum hosted Artists Around Franck, which presented works by James Ensor, Rik Wouters, Eugeen Van Mieghem, Walter Vaes, and Jakob Smits.

Graphic art

Museum De Reede stands out in the world of graphic art for three main reasons: its exclusive focus on graphic works, the distinct composition of its collection, and its commitment to full public accessibility.

Unlike many institutions where significant portions of collections remain hidden, the entirety of Museum De Reede’s holdings is available for visitors to experience. Supported by twenty sponsors, the museum is a worthy addition to the global stage of graphic art and serves as a bridge between historical and contemporary artistic expressions.

Through its innovative approach and carefully curated exhibitions, Museum De Reede invites visitors to embark on an artistic journey that is as thought-provoking as it is visually compelling.

Albrecht Dürer exhibition

On 2 August 1520, Albrecht Dürer arrived in Antwerp, where he was received like a celebrity. By that time, his reputation as the most important printmaker of his era was firmly established. Over the preceding decades, Dürer had gained widespread recognition across Europe for his exquisite engravings, woodcuts, and etchings. His works demonstrated unparalleled technical skill and artistic innovation, and his personal monogram had become a widely recognised trademark.

The exhibition provides an extensive overview of Dürer’s graphic oeuvre, drawing on the rich collections of the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR). Early highlights include the engraving ‘Holy Family with the Dragonfly‘ and the woodcut series ‘The Apocalypse‘, both dating from the late 15th century.

These works already showcase Dürer’s technical mastery and his ability to push the boundaries of artistic expression. During this period, he drew inspiration from the prints of Martin Schongauer and Andrea Mantegna and absorbed the influences of Renaissance art during his first journey to Italy.

In the early 16th century, Dürer continued to refine his craft, producing numerous individual engravings and woodcuts, all of which are considered masterpieces. He also created several large woodcut series, such as ‘The Life of Mary‘ and ‘The Passion of Christ‘.

These works were both artistic triumphs and commercial successes, catering to popular demand and securing Dürer’s status as a grand master of the Renaissance on a European scale.

Melancholy

The pinnacle of Dürer’s career as a printmaker is represented by three iconic engravings produced between 1513 and 1514: ‘Knight, Death and the Devil‘, ‘Saint Jerome in his Study‘, and ‘Melencolia I‘.

These works were celebrated in their own time for their technical and artistic perfection and have remained highly sought after by collectors for centuries. They have inspired generations of artists and continue to provoke diverse interpretations, often speculative, regarding their symbolism and meaning.

Through this exhibition, visitors are invited to explore the extraordinary legacy of Albrecht Dürer, whose work continues to resonate as a benchmark of technical brilliance and creative ingenuity.

A visit

Museum De Reede is not a large museum. The ground floor features one exhibition room, there’s first floor and a mezzanine. But the the displayed works are well presented. Much, Goya and Dürer are big names and De Reede’s choice to focus on graphics is a smart one.

It was my first time at De Reede and I’m glad I visited.

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