Draiflessen Collection

The Draiflessen Collection is an art museum in Mettingen, Germany, regularly presenting 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. Book highlights from the Low Countries 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: alongside numerous Rembrandt etchings, the collection holds two of his drawings. An extensive body of prints, with works by Lucas van Leyden, among others, and 320 copper engravings and etchings after and by 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, and Guido Scholten, Junior Curator (August 2026)