Prado and Rijksmuseum Partner to Study 16th-Century Women Rulers' Artistic Impact, Coining 'Matronage'
The Museo Nacional del Prado and the Rijksmuseum are joining forces to investigate the influence of 16th-century women rulers on art, a concept being referred to as "matronage." This research will focus on the Habsburg Empire, particularly the nearly 60-year reign of female regents in the Netherlands. An exhibition is slated for 2029, alongside a fellowship program starting in September 2027 that grants access to both museums' archives. Key figures Marion Anker and Noelia Garcia Pérez will lead the exploration of how these ruling women, including Mary of Hungary and Margaret of Austria, utilized art to assert their power and shape their public images.
Key facts
- The Prado and Rijksmuseum are collaborating on research into 16th-century women rulers' impact on art, termed 'matronage'.
- The project examines the Habsburg Empire, where female regents in the Netherlands reigned for almost 60 years.
- An exhibition at the Rijksmuseum is scheduled for 2029.
- A fellowship program begins in September 2027, offering access to archives in both museums.
- Mary of Hungary owned Titian's Emperor Charles V at Mühlberg (1548) and commissioned Four Furies (1548-49).
- François Richardot praised Mary of Hungary's intelligence in 1558, the same year John Knox attacked female rule.
- The research will explore how ruling women used art to consolidate power and control their image.
- Marion Anker and Noelia Garcia Pérez are key figures in the project, with 'matronage' to be a central theme.
Entities
Artists
- Marion Anker
- Noelia Garcia Pérez
- Margaret of Austria
- Mary of Hungary
- Margaret of Parma
- Charles V
- Philip II
- Titian
- François Richardot
- John Knox
- Marguerite d'Autriche
- Marie de Hongrie
- Marguerite de Parme
- Charles Quint
- Titien
Institutions
- Rijksmuseum
- Museo Nacional del Prado
- Habsburg Empire
- Women of the Rijksmuseum
- El Prado en femenino
- The Art Newspaper
- Prado
- Beaux Arts
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Madrid
- Spain
- Binche
- Low Countries
- Hungary
- Bohemia
- Espagne
- Pays-Bas
- Mühlberg