Michaelina Wautier

Michaelina Wautier at the Royal Academy, London
27 March – 21 June 2026
Monday, 30 March at 6:00pm

Described as “the greatest artistic rediscovery of the century”, Michaelina Wautier was a successful artist, working in Brussels in the 17th century. She worked across the range of painting types, from genre and still life to portraiture and history painting, excelling at each. However, her work was almost immediately forgotten, and by the 18th century she had disappeared from the ‘History of Art’.

Fresh from a successful run at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, this exhibition will introduce you to an artist whose ability to capture form and texture, mood and character ranks her among the leading artists of her day – and is a worthy addition to the ‘canon’ of great artists. Why was she forgotten? Is it simply because she was a woman? Well, no: Michaelina’s brother, Charles – who painted in a very similar style – also remains almost completely unknown. As ever, the real explanation is more complex... Some of Charles's works will also be on show at the RA, alongside the work of more famous contemporaries, such as Rubens and Van Dyck – not many, but enough to be able to see that Michaelina was up there with the best of them.

 Please remember, I do not record my talks.