Jan Baptist Barbé

[5] Not satisfied with what he could learn from famous artists from his time working in Antwerp, Barbé travelled to Italy to perfect his art.

[4] Later when Barbé was involved in judicial action against the engraver Nicolaas Lauwers for infringement of privileges relating to prints he had created, he received the support of Rubens.

[5] According to the contemporary notes of the painter Erasmus Quellinus II, Barbé was a very ugly person, while his daughter, who was a gifted engraver, was counted among 'the most beautiful women of Antwerp'.

Not long after his marriage Barbé had a set of Dürer prints confiscated in the house of his deceased father-in-law in 1620.

[6] Barbé was active in the local chamber of rhetoric the Violieren, which was connected with the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke.

On his return to Antwerp, Barbé engraved several small and middle-sized plates in a very neat manner and in a style very similar to that of Wiericx.

[9][10] Barbé had a close relationship with Rubens whose works he had already started to engrave when both artists were residing in Italy.

[9] Another devotional publication published and engraved by Barbé is the Theatrum vitam, virtutes, miracula Rmi P. Gabrielis Maria Ord.

It comprises 24 plates, which claim to depict the life, virtues and miracles of Father Gabriel Maria, who had assisted in the foundation of the Order of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.