The Making of …

The unique exhibition ‘Face to face with Rubens & Van Dyck’ will open in the Saint Paul’s Church in Antwerp from 1 April 2025. Until 2026, visitors will be close to two masterpieces of the Flemish Community – closer than ever. The Flagellation by Peter Paul Rubens and The Carrying of the Cross by Anthony Van Dyck are the two most famous paintings from the series of 15 mysteries in the church. They date from 1617 and are still present in the church for which they were made after more than 400 years. The other 13 paintings, also masterpieces, were placed in storage during the first restoration phases of the church (2025 – 2026).

The removal of the paintings was an exciting and meticulously prepared logistical operation. On 4 March 2025, we made a film recording of the moment the two paintings were removed from the wall at a height of four metres until they were placed in the specially designed climate cabinets for the exhibition.

The restoration of the Saint Paul’s Church is being realized thanks to the client City of Antwerp, AG Vespa, the Agency for Immovable Heritage and the Church Factory Saint Paul in collaboration with Steenmeijer Architects and Monument Goedleven. It started in February 2025 and is expected to last three to four years, in different phases. The Saint Paul’s Church will remain open to visitors during the restoration – in 2025 this will be every day until October 31, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.