FLEMISH MASTERS IN SITU
Experience our Flemish Masters where they're truly at home.
Van Eyck and Rubens. Surrealists and expressionists. Old and contemporary Masters. Here in Flanders is where they all lived, worked and found their inspiration. Many of their masterpieces are on display in a truly unique location – the original place where the masters created those very works and where you too can spend some time in their shoes. Welcome to the Master Tours.
MASTER TOUR PETER PAUL RUBENS
Amandus-Atheneum
Historisch
Bonapartedok
Ankerrui
Ankerrui
Oudeleeuwenrui
Willemdok Waaslandtunnel
MASTER TOUR PETER PAUL RUBENS
The genius of Antwerp
Antwerp is steeped in the artistic legacy of its most famous son: Peter Paul Rubens. The Baroque painter lived and worked in the city located on the river Scheldt, which is why his masterpieces adorn numerous churches and museums here. For this Master Tour, put on your best pair of walking shoes and follow in the footsteps of this brilliant artist.
As its name suggests, the Rubenshuis is the artist's former city residence. This is where the master lived and worked and where he achieved his impressive output in his studio. Even though the artist's home is under renovation until 2030, the Rubens Experience will nevertheless give you a privileged insight into his life and work.
DISCOVER HERE:
• The ‘Self-portrait’ by Rubens
• The ‘Self-portrait’ by Anthony van Dyck
St Andrew's Church cherishes its art treasures. Not only old masters, such as Otto van Veen, Rubens' teacher, but contemporary artists are also in the spotlight here. After all, the statue of the Virgin Mary was dressed by the Antwerp fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester. Make sure you also marvel at the colourful stained glass windows, just as Vincent van Gogh did 150 years ago.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Martyrdom of St Andrew’ by Otto van Veen
Here, you can step inside the former home and studio of the PlantinMoretus publishing family. You will immediately notice why this is the only museum in the world that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List – it exhibits the oldest printing presses in the world, surrounded by masterpieces by... Peter Paul Rubens, of course.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Portrait of the Dying Seneca’ by Peter Paul Rubens
• ‘The Ethiopian King’ by Peter Paul Rubens
• The book ‘Seneca, Opera, quae extant Omnia’ by Justus Lipsius, with images by Rubens
• The book ‘The Adoration of the Magi’, with illustrations by Peter Paul Rubens and Theodore Galle
• ‘Labore et Constantia’ by Theodore Boeyermans
WAAISTRAAT ANTWERP
© Ans
Brys
© Cedric
Verhelst
Rubenshuis
RUBENSHUIS
ST ANDREW'S CHURCH
GROENPLAATS 21 ANTWERP
The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The pointed tower is visible for miles around and it has become the symbol of the city. This immense space houses a treasure trove of art and history, including four masterpieces by Antwerp's most famous scion.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Elevation of the Cross’ by Peter Paul Rubens
• ‘The Resurrection of Christ’ by Peter Paul Rubens
• ‘The Descent from the Cross’ by Peter Paul Rubens
• ‘The Assumption of Mary’ by Peter Paul Rubens
• ‘The Last Supper’ by Otto van Veen
SINT-PAULUSSTRAAT 22 ANTWERP
Rubens, van Dyck, Jordaens – anyone who comes from Antwerp can name the big three in just a single breath. In St Paul's Church, you can actually admire the famous Antwerp Baroque painters side by side. Be sure to take the time for a walk in the tranquil Calvary Garden, where you will find yourself in an oasis of peace in the middle of the bustling city centre.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Flagellation of Christ’ by Peter Paul Rubens
• ‘Christ Carrying the Cross’ by Anthony van Dyck
• ‘The Crucifixion’ by Jacob Jordaens
5 TIPS
ALONG THE WAY
Discover even more masterpieces by Rubens at the majestic KMSKA.
Nicolaas Rockox was mayor of Antwerp and a close friend of Rubens. It comes as know surprise, therefore, that you can also admire a work by Rubens in his former home, known nowadays as the Snijders&Rockox House
ANTWERP
The Church of St Charles Borromeo is perhaps the most important Baroque church in the Low Countries. Those who set eyes on it at the time when it was built were so impressed that they called the structure ‘a heaven on earth’. This was largely to the credit of Rubens, who helped design the church. Allow yourself to be dazzled by the profusion of marble, gold and works by the master himself.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Return of the Holy Family’ by Peter Paul Rubens
The perfect ending to your Master Tour is a visit to Rubens' final resting place. Another mustsee: the sculpture ‘Piëtà’ "by Artus Quellinus, an admirer of Rubens.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘Piëtà’ by Artus Quellinus
Time to stretch your legs? Rent a bike and discover all the city's highlights along the Antwerp Highlights Route
Fancy a bite to eat? If so, sit yourself down at one of the tables at Brasserie Appelmans. This cosy location is located in the former Cathedral School, where Rubens studied.
On the Meir stands the house ‘De Kleine SintArnold’, which was owned by Rubens' mother. The Rubens family lived here for several years (Meir 54).
© St Paul's Church, Antwerp
EVEN MORE RUBENS IN FLANDERS
Antwerp
Rubens also painted masterful works for the churches in Mechelen. Feel free to visit, because from Antwerp, it's only a fifteen-minute train ride to the pleasant city located on the river Dijle. Just outside Mechelen, in Elewijt, stands the idyllic Rubens Castle. This country residence is where the Flemish Master spent his well-deserved retirement.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ in St John's Church
• ‘The Miraculous Draught of Fishes’ in the Church of Our-Lady-across-the-Dyle
Peter Paul Rubens also left evidence of his mastery in Belgium's capital. His paintings include a work for the Church of Our Lady of The Chapel. Nowadays, you can admire a beautiful copy of the original painting in the church.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘Christ hands over the keys to Saint Peter’ in the Church of Our Lady of the Chapel, a copy after the original by Peter Paul Rubens
In Saint Bavo's Cathedral, not only can you visit the ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the van Eyck brothers, but you can also admire a beautiful work by Peter Paul Rubens: ‘The Conversion of St Bavo’, also known as ‘The Entry of St Bavo’.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Conversion of St Bavo’, also known as ‘The Entry of St Bavo’, by Peter Paul Rubens.
• The ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’, by the van Eyck brothers