Self-portrait of Peter Paul Rubens

For this elaborately produced copperplate engraving, Paulus Pontius used a self-portrait by Peter Paul Rubens created for the Prince of Wales as a model. Rubens is shown wearing a large black hat over shoulder-length curls, his robe concealed by a sumptuous cloak. Only a small lace-trimmed collar and the base of a necklace are visible from the black cloak. The artist wears a pointed beard and a slightly twirled moustache. He gazes straight at the viewer. Rubens never foregrounds his profession as a painter, preferring instead to stage himself as an upper-class gentleman of distinction. This engraving lacks a ‘note of privilege’ (denoting special privilege) from the Rubens workshop. Rubens therefore had no official direct involvement in the publication of his own portrait. He would certainly have approved the publication, however, especially as Paulus Pontius was employed by his workshop at the time.