The Assumption of the Virgin
(5000-1759)

by Peter Paul Rubens; Paulus Pontius

When Peter Paul Rubens decided to have an engraving made after his 1618 of the , a young member of his studio, Paulus Pontius, made a detailed drawing of the painting in black chalk. Scholars believe that little evidence of Pontius's design remains. Rubens extensively reworked the drawing, probably in an effort to instruct Pontius on how to make good engravings after his paintings, an activity that Rubens considered very important. The young Pontius went on to become one of the most successful interpreters of Rubens's work through engravings.

Black chalk, touches of red chalk, pen and brown ink, and brown and gray wash, heightened with white and gray gouache and oil paint; incised for transfer (about 1624)

by Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640); and Paulus Pontius (Flemish, 1603-1658)