Right-hand man
Master printer and publisher Christophe Plantin wanted his life’s work to be continued after his death by Jan I Moretus, his son-in-law and loyal right-hand man. Jan I Moretus had worked for Plantin since the age of fourteen. However, it was not to happen without a struggle. Jan I Moretus found himself suddenly embroiled in a fierce battle that was waged on several fronts. The other heirs were unwilling to let the lucrative Officina Plantiniana slip from their grasp.
Protecting privileges
While Jan I Moretus was making every effort to reach a fair agreement with his brothers-in-law, he also had to defend himself against rival publishers. They hoped to steal the privileges of the ‘Arch-Printer’ Plantin – the exclusive rights to print certain Biblical, liturgical and other texts.
On 22 September 2010 it was exactly 400 years since the death of Jan I Moretus (or Jan Moerentorf) in 1610. This exhibition took an in-depth look at his twenty-year struggle and used original archive records to show how Jan I Moretus held a steady course through stormy waters.
16.10.2010 – 16.01.2011
