Rubens & Women

Rubens & Women, a major exhibition of the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640), unites over 40 paintings and drawings from the artist's career. The exhibition will be the first to challenge the popular assumption that Rubens painted only one type of woman, providing instead a more nuanced view of the artist who painted more portraits of his wives and children than almost any other, even Rembrandt. The exhibition reveals the varied and important place occupied by women, both real and imagined, in his world.

A diverse range of Rubens's masterpieces along with archive material will reveal the essential ways in which Rubens’s relationships with women nourished his creativity and career – from the role played by his female patrons and family members to his profound faith, artistic beliefs, and great loves. The exhibition features masterpieces from international and private collections, many of which will be appearing in the UK for the first time.