The Rubens House > Collection > Must see > The art room
The art room
In seventeenth-century Antwerp, some prosperous citizens had accumulated large collections of art. Rubens’s collection was the largest in the city in his time.
In all probability, his art room looked very much like the one that appears on the elaborate painting of Willem Van Haecht. The canvas shows the collection of the rich merchant, Cornelis van der Geest. What is so remarkable about this painting is the enormous number of canvases that are displayed in the room together with other objects such as sculptures, drawings, coins, books and measuring instruments.
Rubens’s collection also contained many of these costly collector’s items and exclusive pieces. During a visit to the museum, you can take a look into the painter’s art room. A part of his collection is on display there for you.
