Rubenshuis (Rubens House), Antwerp (must see)

The Rubens House is closely tied to the life and work of Peter Paul Rubens—a leading Baroque artist of the early 17th century known for his Counter-Reformation paintings, as well as his roles as a diplomat and scholar.

Purchased by Rubens in 1610 after his return from Italy, the house was transformed into a grand residence and studio that he designed himself. Drawing on Italian Renaissance and Greco-Roman influences, he added a gallery, a triumphal arch-style porch, and a large studio.

Within these walls, Rubens produced many of his major works while running a prolific workshop that attracted notable pupils and collaborators, including Anthony van Dyck. While Jacob Jordaens was a contemporary and frequent collaborator, he was never technically a pupil in Rubens's workshop. After Rubens’ death in 1640, the house passed through various owners until 1937, when it was designated a monument and meticulously restored by the city of Antwerp to its 17th-century glory.

Today, visitors can explore furnished rooms that evoke 17th-century domestic life, along with studio spaces where large-scale paintings were created. The collection includes works such as Saint Clare of Assisi, The Annunciation, and Adam and Eve, alongside pieces by Rubens’ contemporaries. The house also displays decorative objects from the period.

Outside, the Renaissance garden—redesigned in 1993 and inspired by Rubens’ own paintings—provides a quiet, carefully composed space. Notably, the garden underwent a second major redesign in 2024 to feature year-round color and over 17,000 new plants.

In 2024, the museum entered a new chapter with the opening of the Rubens Experience at Hopland 13. This modern, light-filled building serves as the new grand entrance and features an immersive multimedia center. Using 360-degree projections and interactive displays, it brings Rubens’ world to life, detailing his international travels and his immense artistic output. The new wing also houses a vast research library and a rooftop terrace with views of the historic courtyard.

Editor's note: While the new Rubens Experience wing and the redesigned garden are currently open to the public, the original 17th-century Rubens House residence and studio remain closed for extensive renovations until 2030.