Attributed to
Bernard Baron
, French, 1696-1762
Title
Frontispiece for a series of engravings 'Achille's Life' after RubensDatec.1724
MediumBlack and white chalk on blue laid paper
Dimensions
24.5 x 19.7 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1912
Object numberNGI.2676
DescriptionThis drawing (on faded blue paper) is a sketch for the frontispiece to a set of eight engravings published in 1724. Richard Mead, an English collector, owned the original oil sketches by Rubens and allowed Baron to copy them. In the engraved frontispiece an inscription has been added to the plinth: 'Achilles's Life painted by S.r Peter Paul Rubens and Engrav'd by B. Baron - London'. The design shows a winged muse with Minerva, patroness of the arts, revealing a portrait of Rubens on a plinth.