Papenbroek Collection
Encyclopedia
The Papenbroek Collection is one of the largest 18th century Dutch art collections. After the death of its owner, Gerard van Papenbroek (1673-1743), the majority of the collection was bequeathed to Leiden University
. These antiquities would become the earliest collection of the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities
, and have been called a "decisive factor for the creation of the first academic chair of archaeology".
, had been an alderman
and became a burgomaster
of the city in 1723. He began collecting art, a common pastime for the elite of the period. Instead of traveling to the Mediterranean he used his fortune to buy antiquities from other collectors at auctions. In this way Papenbroek gathered a part of the Reynst Collection
and pieces from many other famous and lesser known collectors, including some Roman antiquities that had belonged to the Flemish painter Rubens.
During his life Papenbroek put the collection on display in his country house and in the Nieuwe Kerk
in Amsterdam. He attempted to have the collection published, but this would not be done until after his death.
When Papenbroek died in October 1743 his will stipulated that the majority of his collection, including all antiquities, should go to Leiden University and was to be put on public display. The university thus gained about 150 pieces, which were welcomed with an official academic session after they had been arranged for public viewing. In 1746 a professor from Leiden published an illustrated catalogue of the collection, but after that little attention was paid to the antiquities.
Eventually the National Museum of Antiquities
would be founded in the early 19th century, and the world's first professor of archaeology
, Caspar Reuvens
, would transform the 'archaeological cabinet' into a real museum.
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
. These antiquities would become the earliest collection of the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden is the national archaeological museum of the Netherlands. It is located in Leiden. The Museum grew out of the collection of Leiden University and still closely co-operates with its Faculty of Archaeology...
, and have been called a "decisive factor for the creation of the first academic chair of archaeology".
History
Gerard van Papenbroek was a member of the city elite in AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, had been an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
and became a burgomaster
Burgomaster
Burgomaster is the English form of various terms in or derived from Germanic languages for the chief magistrate or chairman of the executive council of a sub-national level of administration...
of the city in 1723. He began collecting art, a common pastime for the elite of the period. Instead of traveling to the Mediterranean he used his fortune to buy antiquities from other collectors at auctions. In this way Papenbroek gathered a part of the Reynst Collection
Reynst Collection
The Reynst Collection, probably the most extensive 17th century collection of art and artefacts, was owned by the Dutch merchants Gerrit Reynst and Jan Reynst. The collection was put on display in their house at the sign of Hope on the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam...
and pieces from many other famous and lesser known collectors, including some Roman antiquities that had belonged to the Flemish painter Rubens.
During his life Papenbroek put the collection on display in his country house and in the Nieuwe Kerk
Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)
The Nieuwe Kerk is a 15th-century church in Amsterdam, located on Dam Square, next to the Royal Palace.-History:The bishop of Utrecht gave the city of Amsterdam permission to use a second the parish church in 1408 because the Oude Kerk had grown too small for the growing population of the city....
in Amsterdam. He attempted to have the collection published, but this would not be done until after his death.
When Papenbroek died in October 1743 his will stipulated that the majority of his collection, including all antiquities, should go to Leiden University and was to be put on public display. The university thus gained about 150 pieces, which were welcomed with an official academic session after they had been arranged for public viewing. In 1746 a professor from Leiden published an illustrated catalogue of the collection, but after that little attention was paid to the antiquities.
Eventually the National Museum of Antiquities
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden is the national archaeological museum of the Netherlands. It is located in Leiden. The Museum grew out of the collection of Leiden University and still closely co-operates with its Faculty of Archaeology...
would be founded in the early 19th century, and the world's first professor of archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
, Caspar Reuvens
Caspar Reuvens
Caspar Jacob Christiaan Reuvens was a Dutch historian and archaeologist. He was the founding director of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, the world's first ever professor of archaeology , and conducted the first excavations at the Roman provincial site Forum Hadriani...
, would transform the 'archaeological cabinet' into a real museum.