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11 July to 25 October 2026
For more than 400 years, the famous 15 Mysteries of the rosary hung four metres high in the Sint-Pauluskerk (St Paul's Church) in Antwerp. From 11 July, the monumental paintings can be seen together and outside the church for the first time. In Het Noordbrabants Museum, you come face to face with the masterpieces of, among others, Peter Paul Rubens, Jacob Jordaens and Anthony van Dyck.
Visit the exhibition
Closer than ever
It took quite strong neck and eye muscles to properly view the top Flemish artworks in the Sint-Pauluskerk. That is exactly why their arrival in the Netherlands is so special: in Het Noordbrabants Museum, you can see the paintings at eye level for the first time. This lets you discover details, emotions and techniques you could not see before, from Rubens's powerful brushstrokes to the early talent of the young Van Dyck.
Fifteen stories of joy, sorrow and hope
The 17th-century paintings show the fifteen mysteries of the rosary: important moments from the life of Jesus and Mary. Together they tell a story of joy, sorrow and hope. Throughout the centuries, these stories helped people remember events and give meaning to life. These universal themes still make the works relevant today.
Old masters and contemporary art
In the exhibition, you see not only 17th-century masterpieces but also contemporary art by, among others, Mona Hatoum, Latifa Echakhch, Maria Roosen, Geraldo Dos Santos and Cecilia Vicuña. Just like the 15 Mysteries, their work is about memories, rituals, loss, connection and what people pass on to each other. By showing old and new art side by side, the exhibition shows that these themes belong to all eras.
Antwerp and Den Bosch
The exhibition also shows the historical connection between Antwerp and Den Bosch. During the Eighty Years' War, religious art treasures from Den Bosch were kept safe in Antwerp. Four centuries later, the paintings from the Antwerp Sint-Pauluskerk make the reverse journey to Brabant. This makes the collaboration extra special.
Every bead tells a story
The exhibition also includes a presentation of ten personal (prayer) beads. These small objects often travel along in a coat pocket, bag or hand. They offer comfort, keep memories alive and give meaning to important moments. From the rosary of the current bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch to a special necklace of a child going through an intense treatment process: every bead carries its own story.
