strong lines. Rubens, however, encouraged en- gravers to improve on traditional techniques. Most successful was Lucas Vorsterman (1595-1675), who used fine hatchings, cross-hatchings, and other subtle strokes, to suggest the texture of Rubens's colors, fabrics, and skin tones (as in The Descent from the Cross, above).
Rubens attached great importance to reproductions of his paintings. Prints made his work known to a wider audience, creating greater de- mand and higher prices. He apparently advanced...