Who painted Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait?

Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait was painted by Paulus Pontius in 1630.

Where can I see Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait?

Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait?

Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait

Paulus Pontius , 1630

Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait 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

In 1630 Paulus Pontius, a Flemish engraver linked to Peter Paul Rubens’s workshop, issued an intricate print titled *Rubens and van Dyck, a Double Portrait*. Executed on laid paper, the work presents two leading Antwerp painters side by side, surrounded by an elaborate decorative frame that mixes classical and allegorical motifs.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures are identified as Peter Paul Rubens and his younger colleague Anthony van Dyck, depicted with dignified bearing and fine attire that evoke courtly or mythic status. A richly dressed woman holding a scroll, along with a winged boy and a cherubic figure, flank the pair, suggesting patronage, artistic inspiration, or the transmission of skill across generations.

Technique & Style

Pontius employed the traditional copper‑plate engraving method, incising fine lines that render the textures of fabrics, jewelry, and foliage with remarkable precision. The composition is dense with ornamental scrollwork, vines, crowns, and ribbons, demonstrating the engraver’s mastery of line modulation to convey depth and intricate surface detail.

History & Provenance

Born in 1603, Pontius became one of the principal printmakers associated with Rubens, reproducing many of the master’s designs for a wider audience. After Rubens’ death in 1640, Pontius continued to work with other prominent Flemish painters, including van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens, extending his reputation as a leading interpreter of contemporary painting through print.

Context

The double portrait reflects the collaborative atmosphere of early‑17th‑century Antwerp, where workshops often produced prints to celebrate their leading artists. By framing Rubens and van Dyck within a regal‑like tableau, the engraving underscores their elevated cultural status and the market demand for images that combined portraiture with allegorical embellishment.