Draiflessen Collection/Liberna

Information

The Draiflessen Collection is an art museum in Mettingen, Westphalia, presenting regularly art exhibitions that address issues of social relevance, examining such issues from both artistic and scholarly perspectives. Since 2012, the Liberna Collection, the private collection of entrepreneur Bernard Brenninkmeijer (1892−1976), has been part of the Draiflessen Collection. The extensive holdings primarily comprise manuscripts, miniatures, incunables, and books printed after 1500. Low-Country book highlights include the Prayer Book of Isabella Clara Eugenia (1599), the first Bible printed in Dutch (1477), a richly decorated Elzevier Bible (1663), and a complete Blaeu Atlas (1667).

Besides book art, the collection is distinguished by prints and drawings with a German-Dutch focus. Among the Flemish drawings, examples by Pieter Coecke van Aelst, Jacob Jordaens, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and anonymous Antwerp mannerists can be found. Furthermore, numerous Dutch Golden-Age Masters, such as Aelbert Cuyp, Jacob van Ruisdael, Ferdinand Bol, Mozes ter Borch, Lambert Doomer, Aert de Gelder, Jan van Goyen, Jan Lievens, to name only a few, are represented. Rembrandt was a particular favourite with the collector: longside numerous Rembrandt etchings, the collection holds two of his drawings.An extensive body of graphics, with works by Lucas van Leyden, among others, and 320 copper engravings after Anthony van Dyck, complements the collection. Lastly, a group of Dutch and Flemish paintings also attest to the quality of the Collection.

Iris Ellers, Curator (October 2020)