Just a heads up -- the majority if art in here is by other artists. There are a few wonderful pieces from Rubens himself but don't expect a museum of his work. This is mostly art that was part of his personal collection and the work of his contemporaries. Rubens is an example of an artist that was successful during his lifetime. He operated a studio and was very in demand. Thus, due to his wealth, the house is quite beautiful. The tour of the house is self-guided. They have booklets in various languages with numbers corresponding with art pieces. You just follow the path and bury your nose in your booklet to learn about the art. You don't need too much time here. If you move fast, you can probably see everything in one hour. This may change depending on how crowded the museum gets. The rooms are pretty small but it wasn't too bad when I came here since it was a rainy day at the end of August. **Make sure you see everything. The last room is the most beautiful (large paintings). Don't skip the courtyard in the back either -- gorgeous architecture (although they are currently restoring it). **Free on the last Wednesday of the month. I had no idea but just so happened to visit Antwerp on this day so I got very lucky. read more

Rubenshuis - Museums Near Me - Antwerp, VAN

The Rubenshuis, which was the home of the famous painter Pieter Paul Rubens is a site to see if you need time to kill. From the outside it looks tremendous and while it does not disappoint from the inside, I felt a little down after seeing the whole thing. Now while this is not the cheapest attraction in the town by far, it will not break the bank, the problem really comes down to what you are expecting. I expected to see more of the lifestyle of Pieter Paul Rubens, but what I got was a refinished house full of art setup in the way of a small art museum. Do not get me wrong, the sculptures and paintings are wonderful, but nothing to write home about when compared to many other museums nearby. Couple that with the small hallways and large crowds and it will have you rushing for the exit as soon as possible. We ended up walking around pretty freely as not many were there an hour after the opening on a crummy weather day, but as we were leaving, we saw a HUGE group heading in, so be aware this may not be friendly for those with no patience or claustrophobic. On the plus side, the back yard and garden is beautiful in the Spring and Summer, but sadly the buildings facade was getting a makeover when we were there. Was it deserving of more than a three star, yes, but I'd leave it at a 3.5 out of 5 to be honest. Still worth visiting though if you read up on it beforehand and interests you. read more

For nearly a week I have been trying to think of an appropriate review for my 500th. The pressure of 500 is hurting my head and making eyes water. So instead of beating my brain against the wall, I said screw it! and just decided to write about what I did on my last years Spring Vacation. Pieter Paul Rubens was a highly regarded Flemish painter who didn't have to wait to die before he became rich and famous. His name in the art world can be compared to Michael Jordan today and made a fine damn living off his paint brushes. Proof of his high rolling is his former residence which is now a museum and open to the public. The house even by todays standards is impressive. The house has been perfectly preserved and gives the visitor a nice glimpse into the past. Each room is nicely decorated with many of Reuben's most famous artwork hanging along the hallways and in itself is a great collection. After you finish touring the main house, there is an amazing garden in back where on a nice day you can sit out and take in a breath of clean Antwerp air. I recommend taking your time and not rush this museum as both the main house and gardens have plenty to offer. Photography is strictly prohibited in the house (as I found out). But you are free to snap away outside and in within the grounds of the garden. This is really a gem of a museum and not to be missed. I highly suggest arriving early, then once you exit stop in for a bite of lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants in the nearby square. read more

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This place might be the first stop if you are in Antwerp and looking for something to do, especially if you appreciate art. The house is full of Rubens masterpieces as well as pieces from Rubens personal collection. The latter consists mainly of Flemish contemporaries such as Van Dyck. A visit here also provides a peek into the upper class lifestyle that Rubens experienced. His family and life story was also documented. This included the loss of his first wife and remarriage. Accounts of his friendship with people like Van Dyck, Rockox and others were of interest. The operation of his studio and the mentorship of his students was also memorable. If you are in Antwerp, this site is unquestionably worth the time. read more

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Definitely worth a visit while in Antwerp! The house of the famous Renaissance painter Peter Paul Rubens is situated just off the main shopping district in Antwerp and welcomes you in out of the busy-ness of the area. You step back in time and into the daily life of the painter. The structure has survived the centuries well and, thanks to detailed and precise restoration, should continue to endure for many more! As the house in which Rubens lived and worked, the majority of the art hanging up is not his; rather, they are the works which Rubens wished to show off to others and from which he drew his own inspiration. Yet, you will find some of his minor works and sketches still scattered about the museum and worth a study. He truly was a master; even in his most insignificant sketches, you can still see his incredible skill. As a result, expect to spend a hour or two at least wandering through the house. Despite its exterior appearance, the rooms wind up and down and left and right and you will have a lot to see. Check it out for sure! read more

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A very interesting glimpse into the life of one of the great masters. There is NOT a huge amount of Rubens paintings here, so if that is your goal , head to a museum. The house is an excellent example of the way people used to live hundreds of years ago. The courtyard and gardens are a great place to sit and relax before the next stop on your tour. Unlike Van Gogh for example , Rubens was very successful while alive and was able to live in luxury in this house. Definitely worth seeing if for no other reason than to get a glimpse of life centuries back. They provide you with a free booklet that explains various works, but the audio guide goes into much greater detail. I was able to see everything in detail in less than 1.5 hours. Most people would be through in less than an hour. read more

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Okay, some people might be wandering whether I'm getting a little bored of visiting artitst's houses, but then again since I am here I might as well check them out. Okay, Rubens may be now impressionist, but the place is still worth visiting (even if it might be a little expensive). Like most of the other houses this place is full of paintings and they also offer a free audio guide, but you can also get the paper guide which gives you the names of the paintings on display. Also, like many of the similar houses the rooms are full of artwork and are also set out to give you the impression of how people back then used to live. Oh, and there is a pre-defined route through the house, which is also really helpful because it means that you are not forever running into people as you move through the place. read more

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Antwerp is a wonderful Flemish city, but not nearly as dynamic or large as Brussels. That said there are a few important and interesting places to see: and one of the best is the home of Rubens, the great Flemish painter. This is not a palace in any way. The Flemish of the Renaissance were a discrete and well mannered group, wealthy, sophisticated, and relatively humble compared to the French, the Spanish, the Ottomans, and the Italians of the same era. They traded out of the port at Brugges, devoted themselves to their work and families, and were instrumental in facilitating the rise of the European upper middle class. Ruben's House is an excellent example of these Flemish values. The Rubens house is beautifully restored, both the interiors and the gardens. It is filled with Ruben's furniture, his workshop, and all of the things that constituted his families daily life. Of course it is filled with a great art collections as well... but for me, the most impressive thing was the leather wall coverings. It got cold in the winter, so people who could afford it covered all of their walls in leather. In the case of Ruben's, the leather is pressed, and etched, and embossed with designs. It is quite impressive. Give yourself two hours here and then break for lunch. It may not be worth the trip from a far off city to see. But if you are nearby, Antwerp and the Rubenshuis will not disappoint. read more

Honestly, there's not much to see. This is a careful reconstruction of the house Rubens lived in and while there is period furniture, it hasn't been recreated to feel like a home. I would say more like a small art museum with some furnishings. The crowds during summer were unbearable in the narrow hallways. Don't miss the large studio at the end of the visit where the big Rubens paintings hang. There's also a nice little formal garden in the back of the house. The way the docents start aggressively rushing ppl out and through, a little before 4:30 was really rude and terrible. read more

Reubens' house is a must-see for all art aficionados visiting Antwerp. It is located in one of the side streets off of Antwerp's main shopping district--the Meir. You can walk right in with your Antwerpen city card. The house is absolutely stunning; it is preserved fairly well and apart from looking at the different rooms and furniture such as Reubens' day bed, there are also various pieces of artwork. The front courtyard with the statues as well as the garden was the highlight for me. read more

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Rubenshuis digs deep into the artistic history of Antwerp by celebrating its prodigal son with a cavalcade of rooms dedicated to Peter Paul Rubens and his studio assistants, of which many went on to become quite famous themselves. It is a museum of both historical and personal significance. Although focused on Rubens, it gives insight into the places he painted in his life, as well as a historical context of his home and time in Antwerp. With a myriad of potential artistic and/or museum stops available for you when in Antwerp, this is one which will not disappoint in any way. The seemingly never ending mazes of rooms will lead you to a final resting spot in a recreated version of Rubens' studio. This is the best place to take a seat on the bench and quietly contemplate the work of one of the world's most famous artists. read more

A 'must' for any art-lover, as well as those interested in European history and culture. Apart from a vast collection of paintings, the Rubenshuis also has an array of everyday objects, including furniture from the 17th century. The building's architecture and the Renaissance garden are also good reasons to take in Rubenshuis on a visit to Antwerp. Guided tours are available The museum is open every day except Mondays. It is closed for the public holidays on January 1 and 2, May 1, Ascension Day, November 1 and 2 November and on December 25 and 26. It remains open on Easter Monday and Whit Monday. read more

"The magnificent house where Pieter Paul Rubens, Antwerp's most famous painter, lived and worked. His house is now one of the most visited museums in all of Belgium." read more

The house of the Flemish painter Rubens is worth the visit if you're up in Antwerp. The house is in great condition and the room allows you to step back in time to when the painter was filling up his canvases with masterpieces. The annoying thing is that you cannot take photos inside the house. I never understood why such places make these restrictions but what the hey. You can spend a good 30-60 minutes in the house and then head to the back garden to take those photos. read more

Great place to Be in antwerp

This was an inexpensive, relatively short (90-minute) trip that included some really interesting architecture and art. Beautiful art, really. If you're interested in exploring a 17th-century house, however, you'll be disappointed. I only realised when I got there that the entire house (except for about 2 structures) were entirely rebuilt in the 1940s. Still, the art pieces are really incredible. I had a blast--and got some inspiration for prints. read more