Portrait of Rubens' sons, Albert and Nikolaus (1752)
Original title: Portrait of Rubens' sons, Albert and Nikolaus
kurzbeschreibung
In 1752, Jean Daullé produced this engraving of Peter Paul Rubens's sons, Albert and Nicholas. Albert stands in front holding a quill, while Nicholas, behind him, wears a broad-brimmed hat. Both boys appear in costly garments. The source was a painting by Rubens.
Description
Two boys are placed before a columned setting. The younger, Albert, dressed in an ornate robe with fur and ruffles, holds a quill. Behind him stands the elder, Nicholas, also richly attired, with a broad-brimmed hat. Their gaze turns to the left. Further columns and architectural elements suggest a classical building.
Context
In 1752, Jean Daullé, an 18th-century French engraver, made this reproduction after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens that was then in the royal gallery in Dresden. Rubens had painted the original in the 17th century. Daullé's print helped make the Baroque work known in the Age of Enlightenment.
Impact
Delicate lines and hatching render fabrics and architecture in detail. The elaborate clothing and classical setting give the children a dignified, official air.
Technique
This sheet is an engraving. Lines are incised into a copper plate and then printed. Through the fine lines and hatching, tonal values and textures emerge, bringing figures and surroundings into relief. The paper measures 39.1 × 21.3 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)