Artus Quellinus

This is the first retrospective of one of the most important Baroque sculptors of Amsterdam – Artus Quellinus (1609 – 1668). Known for his range and versatility, the artist worked on many projects for churches, private homes and public institutions and was commissioned to make Amsterdam’s new Town Hall (now the Royal Palace) one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe. This year, on the city’s 750th anniversary, more than 100 sculptures, some of them never shown in the Netherlands, will be exhibited in the Royal Palace.

Artus Quellinus was a skilled observer who was able to accurately model and put life into his sculptures. His ability to transmit human emotions through the materials he worked with has elevated him to the title of the most influential sculptors and a master of “living marble”. His work has been embellishing the Palace for centuries, creating for it some iconic works like the famous Atlas. The exhibition will bring impressive pieces that have never before travelled to Amsterdam like Saint Peter from the Antwerp Saint Andrew’s Church and the Pallas Athena from Museum Kurhaus Kleve.