Rubenshuis

The Rubens House garden is a hidden gem in the heart of Antwerp. It is the place where the world-famous artist Peter Paul Rubens lived with his family and entourage, and where he could catch his breath. The garden has been redesigned and, thanks to the colour advice of Antwerp fashion designer Dries Van Noten, provides colour across all seasons. The design harks back to the plant species from Rubens’ garden, such as tulips, snake's head fritillaries and fig trees.

Rubens’ design for his garden has not survived and of his many letters there is only one from 1638 in which he writes about his garden. Through old sources, still lifes and documents, the museum team and Ars Horti figured out what the garden looked like at the time and which plants were in it.

Dr. Klara Alen is garden curator at the Rubens House. She holds a PhD in art history (KU Leuven) and a master's degree in art market studies (VU Amsterdam). She has conducted extensive archival research into Rubens’ garden and was the first to compile a list of species of flowers and plants that flourished in Antwerp's city gardens at the time. In 2024, her book Rubens’ tuin. Een meesterwerk in bloei was published.

Klara will be giving a talk on Friday 30 May and Saturday 31 May at the Hex Garden Festival

‘It is certain that the seasons are very changeable’. The historical garden of the Rubens House as a guardian of climate and biodiversity.

see programme for times

More info: Garden | Rubens House | Rubens House