Une lettre dessinée pour le Rubenshuis
The Rubenshuis in Antwerp has acquired a rare double-sided sketch by Peter Paul Rubens, consisting of a draft letter written in September 1607 to the painter Cristoforo Roncalli (known as il Pomarancio) on one side, and a quick drawing of three men in antique tunics on the other. The sheet was exhibited at TEFAF Maastricht in March by the London gallery Day & Faber, and was purchased by the King Baudouin Foundation, which has deposited it at the Rubenshuis. The museum is currently closed for renovation until at least 2030.
This acquisition matters because it offers a unique glimpse into Rubens's creative process, showing how he combined writing and sketching on a single sheet as a form of preparatory work. The piece bridges the artist's correspondence and his visual imagination, making it a significant addition to the Rubenshuis collection. The involvement of the King Baudouin Foundation underscores the importance of preserving such rare documents for public access and scholarship, even as the museum undergoes long-term renovations.