In the blossoming baroque era around 1600 with European courts competing for prestige and wealthy burgers striving for status, it was good strategy for artists who wanted to make their works known, to reach out beyond local borders and to conquer far-away markets and buying audiences. Bulky sculptures and fragile paintings were little suited to such transactions. Instead, it was prints – engravings, etchings and woodcuts – that became perfect ambassadors on behalf of artists who charmed their audiences with graphic masterstrokes while updating them about their latest creations. Around 1600, the most successful masters in this regard were Hendrick Goltzius (1558–1617) and Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640).

This exhibition presents a distinctive selection of 140 prints from the rich Munich holdings. The thematic presentation, addressing aspects such as the role of dedications or antiquity as a model, makes visible the various artistic strategies that spurred on the careers of Goltzius and Rubens.

The exhibition catalogue includes contributions by Michael Hering and Nina Schleif and is going to be released in June 2024.