Rubens with his Wife and Child (1740–65, Met-Objekt 1299)
Original title: Rubens with his Wife and Child
kurzbeschreibung
A proof before letters in the first state: James McArdell's mezzotint, made between 1740 and 1765, reproduces a group of figures after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. The artist appears together with his family.
Description
Three figures fill the image: a man in a wide-brimmed hat and a dark, embroidered robe, a woman in a sumptuous gown with striking sleeves and pinned-up hair, and a child in light clothing looking toward the man. A column, a statue, and floral scrollwork frame the group symmetrically. Light falls evenly, with no strong shadows. The grey tones and dense dot pattern reveal the mezzotint technique.
Context
Reproductive engravings after old masters were widespread in the eighteenth century. McArdell, an Irishman, worked in London and was prized for his high-quality mezzotints. The source was a seventeenth-century self-portrait of Rubens with his family. Prints like this spread awareness of artworks and were much loved by collectors.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and calm light give the sheet a balanced, dignified air. Subtle gradations of grey lend the figures a sculptural presence that recalls painting.
Technique
In mezzotint, an intaglio process, the plate is roughened with a rocker or punch and then smoothed in places to build up tonal gradations. This impression is a proof before letters in the first state, an early working stage for the artist.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)