Three artworks from the Rubens House or Rubenshuis collection in Antwerp are travelling to leading museums abroad.
The ‘Art Cabinet of Cornelis van der Geest‘ by Willem van Haecht, the ‘Silver Display Set‘ from Peter Paul Rubens’ own collection, and the ‘Self-Portrait‘ by Anthony van Dyck will soon be on display respectively at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa. Closer to home, Rubens Experience has been awarded first prize in the Digital Design category at the Henry van de Velde Awards.
This month, three works from the Rubens House collection are moving to prestigious museums in Vienna, London and Genoa. While the artist’s house is undergoing restoration, the collection is in high demand internationally.
Several works, including Rubens’ famous ‘Self-Portrait‘, can already be seen in Rubens Experience, which was last night named winner in the Digital Design category at the Henry van de Velde Awards.
The jury commented on Rubens Experience: “With Rubens Experience, the museum proves that large-scale projects can be not only impressive, but also accessible and inviting. The scenography changes dynamically and offers a journey from immersion to interaction, always with attention to aesthetics and ease of use. The digital design integrates beautifully into the space and strengthens the dialogue between museum and visitor.”
From the Museo del Prado in Madrid to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna
‘The Art Cabinet of Cornelis van der Geest’ (1628) by Antwerp painter Willem van Haecht (1593–1637) is one of the highlights of the Rubens House collection. In this painting, the 17th-century Antwerp collector Van der Geest presents his impressive art collection to the Archdukes Albert and Isabella. No fewer than 43 paintings are depicted on a single canvas, alongside the cultural elite of the time. Rubens himself also appears in the scene.
This masterpiece, protected as a Flemish Top Piece, was on display for the past two years in the permanent presentation of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The painting is now moving as a major attraction to the exhibition ‘Dealing in Splendour. A History of the European Art Market‘ at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace in Vienna.
From April onwards, it will then be shown in the permanent galleries of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Victoria and Albert Museum in London
Another Flemish Top Piece is the silver display set (1635–1636), attributed to Theodoor Rogiers with a later addition by Josephus Hennekin. This ewer and matching basin are so richly decorated that they are no longer functional objects. Rubens used them purely for display. After his death, the set remained in the possession of Rubens’ heirs for almost 400 years. Today it is owned by the King Baudouin Foundation and is once again kept where it belongs: at the Rubenshuis.
Attributed to Theodoor Rogiers with later addition by Josephus Hennekin, Silver Display Set, 1635–1636, Rubens House, public domain
This outstanding example of 17th-century Antwerp silversmithing is currently on view at the BRAFA Art Fair in Brussels. It will then travel on to London, where from the end of March it will be displayed in the silver galleries of the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the world’s leading museums for the applied arts of Western art history.
Palazzo Ducale in Genoa
A small but exceptional painting from the collection is the ‘Self-Portrait’ (1616–1617) by Anthony van Dyck (1599–1641). Emerging clearly from a dark background is the face of the still young painter. Because of the remarkable quality of the portrait, art historians long believed it had been painted by Rubens himself rather than by his pupil Anthony van Dyck. Research later confirmed that it is indeed a self-portrait.
Since the reopening of the Rubenshuis in 2024, this painting has been on display in Rubens Experience.
In March it will travel to the major exhibition ‘Van Dyck the European: The Journey of a Genius‘ from Antwerp to Genoa and London at the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa. There, the portrait will be presented as one of the exhibition’s key works, on view from 21 March to 19 July 2026.
Alderman for Culture Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit) said: “That our Antwerp artists are now travelling the world is no coincidence. Our masterpieces are shining in Vienna, London and Genoa, once again proving that our city and its cultural heritage truly belong to the absolute world top. Through our museums, we do not only bring the world to our city, we also bring Antwerp to the world. The icing on the cake is the award for Rubens Experience at the Henry van de Velde Awards. With this project, we are introducing the public in our city to Rubens in an innovative way.”
Collection on international display
The artist’s house of the Rubens House is currently closed for restoration. At the beginning of January, design studios, architects and scenographers were appointed. During the renovation works, Rubens Experience, the Rubens Garden and the library remain open. Meanwhile, the museum’s collection can be admired internationally.