Mastering the Market: Dutch and Flemish Paintings from Woburn Abbey

Masterpieces by Rembrandt van Rijn, Anthony van Dyck and Frans Hals are among the dazzling selection of paintings from Woburn Abbey that take centre stage in the Barber’s lead exhibition this summer.

The show features one of the largest and most significant groups of Old Master paintings from the important collection of the Dukes of Bedford to be exhibited in a public gallery since the 1950s.

Mastering the Market focuses on themes of patronage and collecting in the innovative 17th-century Dutch art market – from the unique character of artistic culture in the newly independent Dutch Republic, through art dealership and attribution, to the demand for, and development of, new genres.

Complementing the Woburn masterpieces is a small selection of the outstanding Dutch and Flemish paintings in the Barber’s own permanent collection by Steen, Van Dyck and Hals, which will connect with the respective works by the same artists from Woburn.

The exhibition is curated by MA students from the University’s Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies, with guidance for experts at the Barber and Woburn Abbey.

Gallery

17 June - 24 September 2023

FREE ADMISSION

GALLERY TALKS

Free talks in the galleries presented by our student curators.

These talks are free – but please book

Our Students’ Perspective

Wednesday 21 June | 1 – 1.30pm*

Rebecca Moon and Ellie Clarke share their experiences of curating their first exhibition at the Barber.

More information/to book

The Dutch and Flemish Landscape

Wednesday 5 July | 1 – 1.30pm*

Eva Christoff and Vincent Jordan discuss two paintings in the exhibition to explore the show’s key themes.

More information/to book

Find out more

Learn more about the themes explored in this exhibition in these two fascinating essays by the exhibition’s student curators:

Woburn Abbey in Focus: A Taste for Dutch and Flemish Art

by Ellie Clarke and Becka Moon

Collecting Cultures in the Dutch Republic and the Spanish Netherlands

by Eva Christoff and Vincent Jordan