Papenbroek Collection

The Papenbroek Collection is one of the largest 18th century Dutch art collections. [Halbertsma, R. B. (2003). "Scholars, Travellers, and Trade: The Pioneer Years of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, 1818-1840", Routledge, p. 14] 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". [Halbertsma, R. B. (2003). "Scholars, Travellers, and Trade: The Pioneer Years of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, 1818-1840", Routledge, p. 20]

History

Gerard van Papenbroek was a member of the city elite in Amsterdam, 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. [Halbertsma, R. B. (2003). "Scholars, Travellers, and Trade: The Pioneer Years of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, 1818-1840", Routledge, p. 14-5]

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. [Halbertsma, R. B. (2003). "Scholars, Travellers, and Trade: The Pioneer Years of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, 1818-1840", Routledge, p. 16] 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. [Halbertsma, R. B. (2003). "Scholars, Travellers, and Trade: The Pioneer Years of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, 1818-1840", Routledge, p. 17-20]

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.

References