Exhibition showcases rare self-portrait by 16th century painter Catharina van Hemessen

Museum Snijders & Rockoxhuis in Antwerpen, Belgium, is hosting an exhibition featuring the works of Jan van Hemessen and his daughter Catharina van Hemessen.

The exhibition highlights the artistic legacy of the father and daughter who produced an impressive body of work during the 16th century. Jan van Hemessen became a successful painter in Antwerpen after training in the studio of Hendrik I van Cleve. He eventually became the dean of the Sint-Lucasgilde in 1548.

His daughter Catharina trained in his studio and collaborated on some of his large works. While her brothers were sent to Italy to study art, Catharina remained in Antwerpen, which allowed her to develop her own unique style. The exhibition features a rare self-portrait by Catharina, created when she was about 20 years old. In this painting, she depicts herself confidently behind an easel with her painting tools.

She included a rare signature in 1548 stating that she painted the work herself. This makes her one of the first women in Western art history to portray themselves in the act of painting. Curator Maarten Bassens organized the show, which includes portraits of Catharina and her sister Christina. The exhibition runs until 31 January 2027 in Antwerpen before moving to The National Gallery in London.

After her final dated work in 1556, Catharina moved to Spain and later to 's-Hertogenbosch, and her subsequent artistic activity remains unknown.