Standbeeld van Peter Paul Rubens op de Groenplaats in Antwerpen 1866 - 1870

Jules Hippolyte Quéval captured this photograph of the statue of Peter Paul Rubens on Groenplaats in Antwerp. The statue stands as a symbol of civic pride, erected in the heart of the city to honor one of its most celebrated artists. Rubens was ennobled by the Spanish King Philip IV and Isabella, and his work often served the interests of the monarchy and the church. However, his legacy became entwined with emerging national identities in Belgium and elsewhere. This photograph invites us to consider how public monuments shape collective memory and cultural identity. It prompts a reflection on who gets memorialized and whose stories are deemed worthy of representation in the public sphere. Quéval’s photograph captures a moment in time, but it also speaks to the ongoing dialogue between art, history, and identity. It encourages us to consider how we engage with monuments today.