Jan
Brueghel was a prominent painter in his hometown of Antwerp, a good
friend and frequent collaborator of Rubens. What is perhaps less well
known is that Jan was also an exceptional draughtsman.


At the
Snijders&Rockox House in Antwerp, some seventy works by Jan Brueghel
have been brought together to create a unique exhibition. These
drawings hail from collections held around the globe, including print
rooms in Berlin, Paris, New York, Amsterdam, London and Stockholm, and
is the first time they have all been on view together, presenting a
significant cross-section of Jan Brueghel's authentic drawn oeuvre. Jan Brueghel - A magnificent draughtsman has been created by the publishing firm BAI, in collaboration with the Snijders&Rockox House to celebrate this exhibition.


The
book includes a biography, essays by Dr.Teréz Gerszi and Dr Wood Ruby
on his draughtsmanship and six chapters in which the drawings are
discussed according to their theme: sojourning in Italy, riverside and
village scenes, study-sheets, roads and travellers, views of the sea and
ports and coastal scenes, and impressions while travelling. The authors
also place Brueghel's draughtsmanship within the context of his
complete works and the times in which he lived, in the process
signalling relationships and making enlightening comparisons.