Who painted Peter Paul Rubens?

Peter Paul Rubens was painted by Paulus Pontius in 1634.

Where can I see Peter Paul Rubens?

Peter Paul Rubens is held by Museum Plantin-Moretus.

What movement is Peter Paul Rubens?

Peter Paul Rubens is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Peter Paul Rubens?

Museum-quality prints of Peter Paul Rubens are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Peter Paul Rubens

Paulus Pontius , 1634

Peter Paul Rubens is an ink print by the Baroque artist Paulus Pontius. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the Museum Plantin-Moretus.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in plate: Ant. van Dyck pinxit. / Paul. Pontius Sculpsit; across bottom in plate: D. PETRVS PAVLVS RVBBENS EQVES. / REGI CATOLICO IN SANCTIORE CONSILIO A ...

About this work

Overview

Around 1634, the Flemish engraver Paulus Pontius produced a portrait of the celebrated painter Peter Paul Rubens. Executed as an engraving on laid paper, the work presents a monochrome image of Rubens in a dignified pose, his hands placed on his chest and his expression calm yet serious.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures Rubens in contemporary attire, a ruffled collar, dark textured jacket, and full beard, emphasizing his status as a mature artist. By focusing on his composed demeanor, Pontius conveys both the personal gravitas and the professional esteem associated with Rubens during his lifetime.

Technique & Style

Pontius employed the traditional copper-plate engraving method, incising fine lines into metal to render subtle tonal variations. The black‑and‑white rendering relies on cross‑hatching and stippling to suggest the texture of fabric and the softness of facial features, characteristic of early‑17th‑century Flemish printmaking.

History & Provenance

Pontius, a leading engraver linked to Rubens’s own workshop, often reproduced portraits of notable figures for wider circulation. This particular print, bearing the inscription "D. Petrus Paulus Rubens," was likely intended for distribution among patrons and fellow artists, reinforcing Rubens’s public image.

Context

The portrait belongs to a broader tradition of commemorative engravings that documented eminent individuals in the Spanish Netherlands. Working alongside contemporaries such as Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens, Pontius helped shape the visual legacy of the period’s artistic elite.