Pontius, Paul

Pontius, Paul a celebrated Belgian engraver, was born at Antwerp in 1596, according to some accounts, according to others in 1603. He was the pupil of Vorstermann, and is chiefly distinguished for his excellent prints after Rubens, which he executed under that great painter's inspection. He engraved also a celebrated set of portraits after Vandyck, including those of many of the most distinguished Flemish painters. He appears to have adapted himself wonderfully to whatever artist he copied. The date of his death appears not to be known. The Slaughter of the Innocents, after Rubens, one of his principal works, is dated 1653.