Beyond the Gendered Genius: A Rediscovery of Jan and Catharina van Hemessen

This BRAFA Art Talk offers an exclusive look at Van Hemessen & Father: The Antwerp Workshop of Jan and Catharina van Hemessen, the first major exhibition focused on this sixteenth-century family (Snijders&Rockoxhuis; Oct 15, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027). Dr. Maarten Bassens reveals how this forgotten dynasty reshapes our view of the Antwerp Renaissance. Moving beyond the myth of artistic genius, the talk explores the workshop as a dynamic family enterprise run by Jan and his daughter Catharina - the earliest Western European female painter with a surviving oeuvre. Attendees will gain unique insights into new discoveries, technical imaging and rare international loans.