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

The Four Philosophers: Justus Lipsius, Hugo Grotius, Peter Paul Rubens, and Philip Rubens is an important print composition, executed through the combined techniques of etching and engraving between 1770 and 1782. While the composition itself originated from a design by the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens around 1611-1612, this specific impression was created later, reflecting the continued demand for the master’s work well into the neoclassical period.

The piece functions as a sophisticated group portrait, memorializing four highly influential figures connected by friendship, familial ties, and intellectual pursuits. The subjects include the renowned classical scholar Justus Lipsius; the jurist and political theorist Hugo Grotius; the artist himself, Rubens; and his brother, Philip Rubens, who was also a scholar. This gathering celebrates the humanist ideal of intellectual discourse and classical scholarship, positioning Rubens not only as an artist but as a man of learning equal to his scholarly companions.

The detailed print medium successfully translates the depth and texture of the original work, highlighting the men in philosophical conversation. The composition is noted for its symbolic elements, including the presence of a dog, often utilized in such group portraits to signify fidelity, loyalty, and companionship. The mastery of the etching and engraving process allowed for wide distribution, ensuring that the influential compositions of Rubens remained accessible to a broad audience across Europe.

This exceptional print is housed within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, providing a vital record of early Baroque portraiture and the enduring influence of Rubens's design legacy through subsequent generations of printmakers. The work offers valuable insight into the cultural and intellectual alliances that shaped the Dutch Golden Age.