Binnenplein van het huis van Peter Paul Rubens in Antwerpen 1868

Jean Théodore Joseph Linnig created this print of the Binnenplein van het huis van Peter Paul Rubens in Antwerpen. Linnig, a 19th-century artist, positions us in the courtyard of the celebrated Baroque painter, allowing a glimpse into the domestic life of artistic elites. During this period, there was a growing interest in the lives and environments of famous artists, and Linnig responds to this cultural fascination. The print reflects the romanticized view of artistic genius and the desire to connect with the past. The architecture and the figures within the courtyard suggest a narrative of status and privilege. The precise linework and attention to detail invite us to consider the relationship between artistic legacy and national identity. What does it mean to look back at the spaces inhabited by those considered masters? This image quietly asks us to reflect on who is remembered, and whose stories are told.