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Precious masterpieces in depot

Some original pieces of the collection highlights are (temporarly) not on display.

In order to store our precious and vulnerable paper heritage optimally, unfortunately we are unable to permanently exhibit some of the original versions of our top works.

View of the Antwerp Roadstead

This print shows Antwerp in 1521, as seen from the place known at that time as Vlaams Hoofd and now as Linkeroever. It glorifies the city on the Scheldt as an important economic and cultural centre. A scroll or banderole near the Church of Our Lady reads ‘Antverpia mercatorum emporium’ (‘Antwerp: the merchants’ emporium’).

Rubens, design of printer's mark

As well as painting for Balthasar I Moretus, Rubens also designed printer’s marks. This design was used for the title page of the second volume of the Opera omnia, (collected works) of the humanist Justus Lipsius.

Octo missae

The Octo missae contains eight Mass settings by the Antwerp composer Georges de la Hèle. This monumental work was the first musical work to be printed by the Officina Plantiniana, in 1578.

The entry of Charles V into Bologna

This print from 1530 shows the triumphal entry of Charles V into Bologna. He was crowned as Holy Roman Emperor there. The artist Robert Péril provided an eyewitness account in this print.

Map of Antwerp

This famous woodcut by Virgilius Bononiensis shows Antwerp in 1565. Bononiensis – or Boloniensis – may have been an Italian from Bologna. The rich trading city of Antwerp attracted many Europeans in the 16th century.

Gerard Mercator, map of Flanders

The geographer Gerard Mercator revolutionised cartography. This map is a surprisingly accurate representation of the county of Flanders in 1540.

Museum Plantin-Moretus

Unesco werelderfgoed

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