Turning Heads: Bruegel, Rubens and Rembrandt Exhibition at KMSKA Antwerp

This exhibition explores the rise of the 'tronie'—an old Dutch term for 'face'—during the 16th and 17th centuries, highlighting how artists like Rubens, Rembrandt, and Vermeer used anonymous models to conduct creative experiments. Featuring over 70 masterpieces, the exhibition examines the evolution of the genre from its 15th-century origins to 19th-century influences.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, artists shifted away from using faces solely as elements within complex biblical or mythological scenes, choosing instead to study them individually. This major exhibition at the KMSKA, the first after the museum's reopening, focuses on this seismic shift in artistic practice. The 'tronie' allowed artists to experiment with costumes, lighting, and exaggerated expressions, treating their models as vehicles for creative expression rather than as subjects for traditional portraits. Visitors can explore the genre’s evolution through five thematic strands, guided by the works of masters like Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt van Rijn. The exhibition brings together 76 eloquent masterpieces from collections across the world, offering an intimate, personal encounter with individuals captured in these works. Beyond viewing the collection, the exhibition includes an interactive component that encourages visitors to engage with the art by creating their own digital face studies. The event is a collaboration with the National Gallery of Ireland, where the exhibition traveled after its tenure in Antwerp.

Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit through the official KMSKA website, where ticket booking and opening hours information is available. The exhibition is hosted at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp premises as part of their seasonal programme offerings.