Pontius Paulus
Paulus Pontius (Paul Du Pont) was a Southern Netherlandish artist, born and died in Antwerp (1603-1658). He was a printmaker, draftsman and reproduction engraver. He mainly realized portraits and Christian religious scenes. In 1616 he started working as a pupil of the painter O. Beert. He later changed his education and until 1624 he was a student of the well-known copper cutter Lucas Vorsterman. After Vorsterman's departure for England in 1624, Pontius succeeded his teacher as interpreter of Peter Paul Rubens. This is how Pontius ended up under the leadership of Rubens, with whom he even lived until 1631. In 1626-1627 this copper engraver became a master at the Guild of Saint Luke. In 1634 he became a member of the "Violieren". Pontius engraved not only for Rubens, but also for other painters such as Antoon van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens, Abraham van Diepenbeeck, Frans Luyckx, Gaspar de Crayer, Gerard Seghers and Titian and Diego Vélazquez. (BT)