Artus Quellinus: sculptor of Amsterdam

Abstract

"The Flemish master Artus Quellinus (1609–1668) ranks among the most important sculptors of the seventeenth century. During his training in Antwerp and Rome, he developed a distinctive, classicist Baroque style that earned him international acclaim. His oeuvre ranges from refined terracotta figures to monumental saintly statues, demonstrating an extraordinary mastery of form and material. Quellinus devoted nearly fifteen years to his magnum opus: the impressive sculptural programme of the Amsterdam Town Hall. In marble, he brought heroes, gods and stories to life and rendered plants and animals in exquisite detail. Thanks in part to his sculptures, the building – now the Royal Palace Amsterdam – was hailed by contemporaries as the eighth wonder of the world. This richly illustrated book sheds new light on Quellinus’s life and work, revealing how his influence extended far beyond Holland and Flanders. Even today, three and a half centuries later, this versatile artist continues to astonish and move viewers with his exceptional gift for capturing emotion and movement in stone." -- Provided by publisher.