Epitaph of Rubens
Medium
engraving on laid paper [proof before letters]
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
William B. O'Neal Fund
Accession Number
1996.78.10
Art Historical Context
This engraving, created by Petrus Clet after a design by the celebrated Flemish Sir Peter Paul Rubens, a window into the artistic world of the Baroque. Produced between 3 and 1646 as proof before letters—an early lacking the final text inscriptions—this print on laid paper captures the dramatic energy and rich detail characteristic of Rubens’s compositions. As an engraving, it transforms painter’s dynamic vision into a reproducible medium, allowing broader audiences to appreciate his work beyond the original canvas. Engravings like this played a vital role in disseminating art across Europe d...