Artwork
Jacobus de Breuck, Jr.
Jacobus de Breuck, Jr. is an ink print by the Baroque artist Paulus Pontius. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1630 copperplate engraving presents a portrait of Jacobus de Breuck, Jr., rendered in the stark monochrome typical of early Baroque printmaking. The composition isolates the sitter against an unadorned backdrop, emphasizing his facial features, beard, and the gestures of his hands.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as Jacobus de Breuck, Jr., an architect, which may account for the focus on his hands—tools of design and measurement—suggesting his professional identity and status within Antwerp’s artistic community.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine, cross‑hatched lines and subtle tonal shading, the engraving demonstrates the meticulous line work of Flemish printmakers. The delicate rendering of hair, fabric folds, and skin texture reflects the influence of the Rubens workshop’s emphasis on dynamic yet controlled draughtsmanship.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Pontius Paulus, a noted Flemish engraver who worked closely with Peter Paul Rubens and later with Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens. Created in Antwerp during the height of the Baroque period, it likely circulated among patrons and fellow artists of the city.
Context
In early 17th‑century Antwerp, portrait engravings served both documentary and promotional purposes, marking the achievements of prominent craftsmen. This work aligns with the broader practice of commemorating architects and other professionals through printed likenesses.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paulus Pontius (27 May 1603 – 16 January 1658) was a Flemish engraver and painter.
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