Rare Rubens notebook sheet goes on display in artist’s home city of Antwerp
Summary
A rare double-sided sheet from Peter Paul Rubens’ Roman sketchbook has been shown for the first time in Antwerp, his home city. The sheet features a drawing of three men in classical robes on one side and an unfinished letter to an Italian painter on the other, offering new insight into Rubens’ early career and life.Key Facts
- The sheet is believed to be from Rubens’ sketchbook during his time in Rome over 400 years ago.
- One side has a brown ink sketch of three men in classical robes, possibly apostles.
- The other side has a draft letter from 1607, written by Rubens to Italian painter Cristoforo Roncalli.
- Rubens was working for the Mantua court between 1600 and 1608, and the letter concerns a painting for Duchess Eleonora de’ Medici.
- The letter shows Rubens’ effort to express himself carefully and diplomatically.
- The sheet is now part of the Rubenshuis museum collection in Antwerp and is displayed in the Rubens Experience exhibition.
- The King Baudouin Foundation bought the sheet from a US owner for €110,000 to keep it in Belgium for public view.
- Many Rubens works have left Belgium over the centuries, making this a valuable cultural piece for the country.
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