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Impressed by Plantin

woodcut collection online

The Plantin-Moretus Museum keeps an extraordinary collection of 14,000 woodblocks. 14,000 examples of true craftsmanship, drawings masterly cut in wood. We are supplying this impressive collection of woodcuts in high resolution. Feel free to browse as long as you like, get inspired and use your creativity.

Be impressed!

Meet Plantin and his family

Christophe Plantin and his son-in-law Jan Moretus were a revolutionary duo. They were the first printers on an industrial scale – the Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg of their day. Four hundred years later, you can simply drop in on them. Because their home and workplace are still there, as if they had just popped out to the bakery.

Dive into the collection

The Museum Plantin-Moretus presents three hundred years of book-printing art and family history. You can admire the oldest printing presses in the world and a rich collection of art, including portraits by Rubens. In the library, you will find manuscripts, incunabula and original prints. And the archives tell you about daily life in both the printing works and the mansion.

Temporary exhibitions

The Museum’s temporary exhibitions focus on a succession of different themes. Specific aspects of the house, the Plantin-Moretus family, the output of the Officina Plantiniana... you can learn more about each of these subjects.

Welcome to Plantins house

In 1576, Plantin relocated his printing works to the Vrijdagmarkt. His family lived and worked there for three hundred years. They converted the ‘Gulden Passer’ (‘Golden Compasses’) into a beautiful mansion. The Moretus family cherished their printing works, which had become a part of Antwerp’s heritage. The last owner, Edward Moretus, sold the house to the City of Antwerp in 1876.

Meet Plantin and his family

Christophe Plantin and his son-in-law Jan Moretus were a revolutionary duo. They were the first printers on an industrial scale – the Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg of their day. Four hundred years later, you can simply drop in on them. Because their home and workplace are still there, as if they had just popped out to the bakery.

Dive into the collection

The Museum Plantin-Moretus presents three hundred years of book-printing art and family history. You can admire the oldest printing presses in the world and a rich collection of art, including portraits by Rubens. In the library, you will find manuscripts, incunabula and original prints. And the archives tell you about daily life in both the printing works and the mansion.

Temporary exhibitions

The Museum’s temporary exhibitions focus on a succession of different themes. Specific aspects of the house, the Plantin-Moretus family, the output of the Officina Plantiniana... you can learn more about each of these subjects.

Businesses

Are you looking for an unusual destination for a company outing or teambuilding activity? Arrange to be shown around by our experienced Museum guides, or do a workshop. It’s great for getting to know your colleagues in a new way.

Welcome to the premises of the Plantin and Moretus family

Walk inside the printing office and house of the Plantin-Moretus family as if you were a friend of theirs visiting 400 years ago.