Rubens House in Antwerp Partially Reopens, Showcasing Painter’s Life

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — The city palace of Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens is partly reopening this weekend, allowing Antwerp to showcase the life and work of its most illustrious citizen.

The Rubens House may not boast the extensive collection of paintings found at Madrid’s Prado museum or the canvas-covered walls of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. However, if there was any place where Rubens felt most at home, it was his house in Antwerp with a view of his garden.

While the core of the house will remain closed until at least 2030 for ongoing renovations, the new welcome center and redesigned garden will open their doors on Friday.

Despite the scarcity of paintings — with a self-portrait being the only major piece on display during the renovations — the house exudes the spirit of the master himself. Rubens bought the house in 1610 and turned it into his studio and workshop, the birthplace of many masterpieces.

The garden offers an outdoor space between the reception center and the main house, guiding visitors between past and present and immersing them in Rubens’ world. The garden features nearly 17,500 plants, with renowned Antwerp-based fashion designer Dries van Noten consulted on the color scheme to add a touch of local flair.

Recreating the original Rubens garden was a challenging task for garden conservator Klara Alen. The original plans did not survive, but inspiration came from various sources, including the 1640 painting “The Walk in the Garden,” portraying Rubens with his family near the garden pavilion.

Some of Rubens’ letters mention orange and lime trees and figs, Alen noted. “We also delved into historical documents to discover what was planted during that time and uncovered new information, such as the presence of tulips.”

“In this garden, the best is yet to come,” she added. “We’ve planted over 1,000 historical tulip bulbs that will bloom in the spring.”

The garden offers a new palette of colors for each season: bright tulips in spring, lush greens in summer, and the golden hues of autumn. The current garden includes marigolds, roses, magnolias, figs, black oaks, and a variety of citrus trees.

Source: Associated Press