Who painted Title Page?

Title Page was painted by Paulus Pontius in 1630.

Where can I see Title Page?

Title Page is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Title Page?

Title Page is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Title Page

Paulus Pontius , 1630

Title Page 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

Created circa 1630, this engraving on laid paper serves as a title page and exemplifies the printmaking activity of early‑17th‑century Antwerp. The work is attributed to the Flemish engraver and painter Pontius Paulus, who was active in the city’s vibrant artistic circles.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents an elaborate heraldic composition: a sheep’s head occupies the central position, a small cat rests upon its back, and a hand below pours a pot spilling coins. The scene is bounded by a brick wall and surrounded by assorted objects such as scissors and a crescent moon, suggesting a symbolic narrative tied to wealth, protection, and perhaps guild identity.

Technique & Style

Executed as an intaglio engraving, the piece displays fine line work and careful hatching that render textures—from the fur of the animal to the metallic sheen of the coins. The use of laid paper provides a subtle ribbed surface that enhances the depth of the engraved lines, characteristic of Flemish printmakers of the period.

History & Provenance

The bottom legend records that it was printed in Antwerp by the publisher Alexander Voet, a prominent figure in the city’s print trade.

Although the inscription names Petrus Paulus Rubens, the engraving is not a work by Rubens himself. The bottom legend records that it was printed in Antwerp by the publisher Alexander Voet, a prominent figure in the city’s print trade. Pontius Paulus’s association with Rubens’s workshop and later collaborations with artists such as Van Dyck and Jordaens situate the print within a network of leading Antwerp creators.

Context

The early 1600s marked a flourishing era for Antwerp’s print industry, where workshops produced both artistic and commercial images. Title pages like this one were often used to introduce books or pamphlets, combining decorative heraldry with information about the printer and patron.