A 1779 etching and engraving by Jean Baptiste Michel, reproducing a portrait of Rubens' wife from the Houghton Hall collection.

This fine art print is an etching and engraving by the French artist Jean Baptiste Michel, published in 1779. It reproduces a portrait by the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens, depicting his wife. The work was produced for the Boydell collection, which aimed to catalogue the significant paintings held at Houghton Hall in Norfolk.

Michel demonstrates technical precision in his handling of the burin. The portrait captures the subject in a three-quarter view, her gaze directed towards the viewer. Her hair is styled in soft curls, framing a face rendered with subtle gradations of tone. The drapery of her garment is executed with dense, rhythmic lines that suggest the weight and texture of the fabric. The background remains dark and atmospheric, ensuring the focus stays on the subject.

Below the image, the print includes the original publication details, the title, and the coat of arms associated with the Houghton collection. This inclusion provides historical context regarding the provenance of the original painting and the commercial nature of eighteenth-century print production in London. The work reflects the period's interest in disseminating European masterworks to a wider audience through high-quality reproductive engraving. The print is an example of the collaborative relationship between the engraver and the publisher John Boydell, who was instrumental in the promotion of fine art prints in Britain during the late eighteenth century. The clarity of the line work and the balanced composition make this a representative piece of the era's reproductive printmaking tradition.