Peter Paul Rubens, Flemish (Siegen, Westphalia 1577 - 1640 Antwerp, Belgium) one of the great masters of the Flemish Baroque, is celebrated for his vibrant, dynamic compositions and masterful portrayal of the human figure. Among his more personal works are depictions of domestic life, including his famous Honeysuckle Bower, which portrays Rubens and his first wife, Isabella Brant, in a private, tender moment beneath a trellis of honeysuckle. This engraving, created by Carl Ernst Christoph Hess, German (1755 - 1828) after Rubens’ original, translates that intimate domestic scene into the precise language of printmaking. The careful linework and subtle shading preserve the warmth of Rubens’ composition while making it accessible to collectors and institutions alike.
Watch this print be water washed during treatment, and then scroll to learn more about the process:
The work shows Rubens and Isabella in a shared, contemplative moment under a flourishing trellis. The honeysuckle symbolizes love and fidelity, framing the couple in a scene that is both romantic and emblematic of 17th-century ideals of marriage and domestic harmony.
The original Honeysuckle Bower painting.
Our client’s journey with Rubens’ engravings is as personal as the images themselves. They discovered an antique engraving of Neptune & Thetis while exploring Brussels during a 2012 trip to TEFAF Maastricht. Hidden atop a large armoire in an antique shop, it immediately captured their attention. “I decided immediately to buy it. We had it professionally conserved and framed, and enjoy having it hanging in our Connecticut home,” they shared. Later, they encountered Rubens and His First Wife in an online auction. “I loved the image and thought it would pair well with the Neptune & Thetis engraving. I look forward to receiving it back from your studio and hanging it adjacent to the Neptune & Thetis engraving,” they added.
Before treatment.
Before treatment, the engraving exhibited age-related discoloration, acid staining throughout, and water stains, along with gummed tapes and hinges adhering the sheet to the mount. Surface grime also dulled the fine details of Hess’s engraving.
The treatment began with careful documentation. Then, the sheet was then carefully freed from its mount, and the gummed tapes were lifted using methylcellulose poultices and a micro spatula.
During treatment.
During treatment.
A key step in the treatment was water washing, a gentle process in which the sheet was immersed in filtered water to reduce staining and to relax and strengthen the paper. After washing, the engraving was dried between cotton blotters and placed under weight to flatten overall. Tears and fragile areas were repaired with thin Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste, stabilizing the sheet while preserving its historical integrity.
The result is a revitalized print that once again showcases Rubens’ tender depiction of domestic love, with the intricate details of Hess’s engraving fully legible and the paper stabilized for years to come.
After treatment.
Sources
https://harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/276625
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeysuckle_Bower
