Rubens, Van Dyck & Jordaens - Flemish Painters from the Hermitage

In its 2011/2012 exhibition, the Hermitage presents a stunning retrospective of Flemish painters, drawing on the plentiful resources of the Flemish art collection of the Hermitage in St Petersburg.

Antwerp School stars

With 75 paintings and approximately 20 drawings, the exhibition includes numerous masterpieces by the three giants of the Antwerp School: Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens, accompanied by the work of well-known contemporaries. Rubens (1577-1640) is the special focus of the exhibition, represented by 17 paintings and many drawings.

Rubens and his followers

Both Rubens's religious and his secular works illustrate his unequalled talent. One of his masterpieces is the famous Descent from the Cross (ca 1618), a painting that has never before been shown abroad. The exhibition also examines Rubens's influence and followers in detail, devoting particular attention to the elegant and refined portraits of his greatest pupil, Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641). Van Dyck served as the court painter of King Charles I of England for many years.

Flemish exuberance

The third great master of the Flemish school, Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678), did not study with Rubens but was influenced by him. His impressive paintings invite viewers to share in his exuberant Flemish joie de vivre.