Latest news with #AmsterdamRoyalPalace
Sharjah 24
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Amsterdam celebrates its golden age sculpture master
As part of the celebrations marking 750 years since the founding of the Dutch capital, the city will unveil an exhibition dedicated to Artus Quellinus, the 17th-century "Sculptor of Amsterdam," starting Wednesday. Virtually unknown outside of Flanders, where he rose to prominence, Quellinus is credited with the magnificent decorations of the Royal Palace that dominates the iconic Dam Square. Dutch art historian Bieke van der Mark remarked that Quellinus "lifted our sculpture to a new level" with his innovative style. Born in Antwerp in 1606, Quellinus worked with marble, ivory, and clay. His style, heavily influenced by Flemish baroque painter Rubens, was a refreshing change for the Protestant Netherlands, which was accustomed to a more austere aesthetic. His subjects—mythological figures, cherubic angels, and animals—echo the great masters he must have encountered during his apprenticeship in Rome. "Like 17th-century Italian master Gian Lorenzo Bernini, he masters the portrayal of flesh and hands," Van der Mark noted, pointing to a striking statue of Saturn devouring his son. This retrospective, organized by the Amsterdam Royal Palace and the Rijksmuseum, is the first of its kind dedicated to Quellinus, featuring over 100 works from both national and international collections. Curator Liesbeth van Noortwijk shared, "We spent considerable time selecting and gathering these exceptional pieces to showcase Quellinus at his best. He is an artist who truly deserves this recognition." "We dare to call him the 'Bernini of the North,' and I believe that's no exaggeration," she added. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam, originally built as a town hall between 1648 and 1665, remains Quellinus's signature work, highlighted by the iconic figure of Atlas bearing the world on his shoulders. Now, nearly 400 years later, the city hopes this exhibition will bring much-deserved recognition to the remarkable "Sculptor of Amsterdam."
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Amsterdam honours its own Golden Age sculpture master
AMSTERDAM: Imposing but delicate marble sculptures of Graeco-Roman-style figures grace the vaulted corridors of a huge palace. But this isn't Florence or Rome. This is Amsterdam. As part of celebrations to mark 750 years since the founding of the Dutch capital, the city is unveiling from Wednesday an exhibition dedicated to Artus Quellinus, the 17th century 'sculptor of Amsterdam.' Virtually unknown outside Flanders in present-day Belgium where he made his name, the city has Quellinus to thank for the decorations on the Royal Palace that dominates the city's iconic Dam Square. Quellinus 'lifted our sculpture to a new level' with a fresh style, Dutch art historian Bieke van der Mark told AFP. Born in Antwerp in 1606, Quellinus sculpted with marble, as well as ivory and clay. His style, heavily influenced by Flemish baroque painter Reubens, was a complete novelty for the Protestant Netherlands, used to a more sober style at the time. His subjects -- mythological figures, chubby angels, and animals -- are perhaps a nod to the great masters he would have seen while an apprentice in Rome. 'Like (17th century Italian master Gian Lorenzo) Bernini, he masters the way the flesh looks, and hands,' said Van der Mark. 'It's really fantastic,' said the 46-year-old, pointing to a statue of the God Saturn devouring his son, whom he holds in his huge veiny hands. Organised by the Amsterdam Royal Palace and the Rijksmuseum, this is the first-ever retrospective devoted to Quellinus, displaying more than 100 of his works from national and international collections. 'We spent quite some time to select and to collect, to bring together all these very special works... to show Quellinus at his best,' said curator Liesbeth van Noortwijk. 'Because I think he's an artist that deserves that.' 'We dare to call him the Bernini of the North... And I think this is no exaggeration,' she told AFP. The decorations of Amsterdam's Royal Palace, built as a town hall between 1648 and 1665, remains Quellinus's statement work, with an iconic figure on the roof of Atlas bearing the world on his shoulders. Now, nearly 400 years on, the city hopes the show will raise awareness of the hitherto unrecognised 'sculptor of Amsterdam.'
France 24
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Amsterdam honours its own Golden Age sculpture master
As part of celebrations to mark 750 years since the founding of the Dutch capital, the city is unveiling from Wednesday an exhibition dedicated to Artus Quellinus, the 17th century "sculptor of Amsterdam." Virtually unknown outside Flanders in present-day Belgium where he made his name, the city has Quellinus to thank for the decorations on the Royal Palace that dominates the city's iconic Dam Square. Quellinus "lifted our sculpture to a new level" with a fresh style, Dutch art historian Bieke van der Mark told AFP. Born in Antwerp in 1606, Quellinus sculpted with marble, as well as ivory and clay. His style, heavily influenced by Flemish baroque painter Reubens, was a complete novelty for the Protestant Netherlands, used to a more sober style at the time. His subjects -- mythological figures, chubby angels, and animals -- are perhaps a nod to the great masters he would have seen while an apprentice in Rome. "Like (17th century Italian master Gian Lorenzo) Bernini, he masters the way the flesh looks, and hands," said Van der Mark. "It's really fantastic," said the 46-year-old, pointing to a statue of the God Saturn devouring his son, whom he holds in his huge veiny hands. Organised by the Amsterdam Royal Palace and the Rijksmuseum, this is the first-ever retrospective devoted to Quellinus, displaying more than 100 of his works from national and international collections. "We spent quite some time to select and to collect, to bring together all these very special works... to show Quellinus at his best," said curator Liesbeth van Noortwijk. "Because I think he's an artist that deserves that." "We dare to call him the Bernini of the North... And I think this is no exaggeration," she told AFP. The decorations of Amsterdam's Royal Palace, built as a town hall between 1648 and 1665, remains Quellinus's statement work, with an iconic figure on the roof of Atlas bearing the world on his shoulders. Now, nearly 400 years on, the city hopes the show will raise awareness of the hitherto unrecognised "sculptor of Amsterdam."
