Book Launch - Rubens and the Dominican Church in Antwerp

Rubens and the Dominican Church in Antwerp: Art and Political Economy in an Age of Religious Conflict. Brill’s Studies on Art, Art History, and Intellectual History, Volume 67. Leiden: Brill, 2023.

This book is about the former Dominican church in Antwerp, today St Paul’s, and three outstanding artworks that Peter Paul Rubens made or acquired for it: the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary cycle (in situ), Caravaggio’s Rosary Madonna (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna) and the Wrath of Christ high altarpiece (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, pictured).

Within the artist’s lifetime, the church and monastery were completely rebuilt, creating one of the most spectacular sacred spaces in Northern Europe. The author reconceptualises early modern churches as theatres of political economy, advancing an original approach to cultural production in a time of war, and restoring the place of St Paul’s to the crux of Antwerp’s commercial, civic and religious life.

The book launch will take place at 6pm in BS/005 Bowland Auditorium in the Berrick Saul building, you are invited to us for a drinks reception after this event in the History of Art Department foyer in Vanbrugh College. No pre booking required.