Van Eeghen family donates rare 17th-century drawing book to Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum has received an exceptionally rare early 17th-century drawing book, donated by the Van Eeghen family. The book, which had been in the family's possession for over three centuries, was carefully preserved and passed down through generations. For most of that time, the artists behind the drawings were unknown, until about twenty years ago when a connection was established with the work of Rombout Uylenburgh and his workshop. Uylenburgh, a painter from the northern Dutch province of Friesland, worked at the Polish royal court in Kraków. It is extremely rare for a 17th-century drawing book to survive completely intact, making this a significant addition to the Rijksmuseum Print Room Collection. The Van Eeghen Drawing Book is considered a new highlight and one of the most important acquisitions in recent years. A substantial part of Uylenburgh's small surviving body of work will be brought together in a display at the museum.