Description
Fine etching by the master print maker John Barclay Godson of an early etching by Sir Anthony van Dyck titled, Paulus Pontius. Possibly a unique example and perhaps unpublished. We have not found another example.
The original etched portrait of Paulus Pontius, was first published in Van Dyck’s ground breaking series of portraits, Iconography (Icones principum virorum) which contained of portraits of princes, politicians, soldiers, statesmen, scholars, art connoisseurs and most importantly artists, a survey of the most distinguished men and women of his time. Paulus Pontius was a famous Antwerp etcher. He contributed 38 images to the Iconography. His name, claim to fame (‘Calcographus’, i.e. engraver) and location ‘Antwerpae‘ are all contained in the Latin description. Pontius looks suave, handsome and well-bred, certainly far more than the highly-skilled craftsman status that was often accorded to engravers.
Provenance:
Artists estate.
Collections:
National Gallery Australia: Not in collection
