The Four Philosophers: Justus Lipsius, Hugo Grotius, Peter Paul Rubens, and Philip Rubens 1770 - 1782

This etching by an unknown artist after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens depicts four prominent figures from the 17th century: Justus Lipsius, Hugo Grotius, Philip Rubens, and Peter Paul Rubens himself. The work is notable for its realistic portrayal of these men, rendered in a meticulous and detailed style, typical of etching, a printmaking technique that utilizes acid to create lines in a metal plate, from which prints are then produced. The inscription at the bottom of the etching indicates that this is an etching after the original painting by Peter Paul Rubens, making it a reproduction. The etching is part of a larger series that celebrates the achievements of these intellectuals and artists.