New insights into the art rooms of Willem van Haecht

First glimpse beneath the paint 

In the 1990s, Wolters was involved in an initial investigation using infrared reflectography (IRR) on two of Van Haecht’s art rooms: one in the Mauritshuis in The Hague and one in the Rubens House in Antwerp. To her surprise, the technique revealed an exceptional and lively signature: the first sketch the painter made before applying paint. It offered a direct glimpse into the creative process and sparked a desire to study the material more thoroughly. 

Comparing art rooms 

This desire took shape in an extensive study, which was completed on 7 August with the publication of the RKD Study Kunstkamers in het kwadraat. This time, not only were the two previously studied panels re-examined, but IRR material from a third art room from the Bute Collection in Scotland was also included. By comparing the underdrawings of all three, Van Haecht’s working method became clearer than ever. He was remarkably free in his approach to spatial layout and figure placement, adapting these elements during the painting process. 

Hidden grid 

The most surprising insight came from his method of copying miniature versions of existing paintings onto the walls of the art rooms. Van Haecht used small square grids — horizontal and vertical lines forming a matrix — to accurately reproduce his models. While it was known that he used this technique, the way he applied it to paintings depicted in perspective on sloping walls proved truly astonishing. 

Digital discoveries 

The miniature paintings on the walls of the art room are linked to real, historical paintings. New digital tools, such as the Visual Search tool from RKD Research, have now made it possible to identify several previously unknown originals. High-resolution images have also made it possible to analyse his painting technique in greater detail. Two art rooms that were not examined with IRR are also discussed in this context. 

Kunstkamers in het kwadraat. Werkwijze en ondertekening bij de Antwerpse schilder Willem van Haecht can be read at RKD Studies. 

Thanks to the collaboration with Elise Gacoms of the Rubens House in Antwerp, Sabrina Meloni of the Mauritshuis in The Hague, and colleagues of the Bute Collection in Scotland, this research into Van Haecht’s working method was made possible.