An exposition of this scope on Baroque art from the Netherlands has not been shown in Oslo since the 1950s. The exhibition is built on new research related to Flemish baroque painting.
The paintings are examples of various themes and genres: Counter-Reformation imagery, mythological and allegorical motives, portraiture from Antwerp, Still-life motives, and Genre paintings including representations of landscapes, cities and the sea.
The selection of artists is highly relevant for the National Museum’s own collection of Flemish art. A central work in the exhibition is Jacob Jordaens’ magnificent allegorical painting of Peace at Westphalia from 1654; it was bequeathed to the National Gallery in 1875.
In addition to Rubens, van Dyck and Jordaens, 15 other masters are presented, among them Jan Breughel the Elder, Jan Fijt, Theodor Rombouts and Frans Snijders. The exhibition is produced by Bucerius Kunst Forum, Hamburg, with paintings from Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, in collaboration with the National Museum.