Artus Quellinus the Elder

Flemish, 1609 - 1668

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The sculpture depicts a seated figure of a woman, who is partially draped with a flowing cloth, as she holds onto a tree trunk with her right hand and rests her left foot on the base. The sculpture is crafted from a material resembling ivory, giving it a smooth, creamy white appearance with shading that highlights the intricacies of the folds in the cloth and the detailed depiction of hair. The woman is shown in a relaxed posture and is looking slightly upwards. The sculpture rests on a dark wooden rectangular plinth, which contrasts with the light color of the statue. The craftsmanship of the figure and the texture of the material suggest a careful attention to detail, particularly in the portrayal of the naturalistic human form and the textures of the materials.
Artus Quellinus the Elder, Omphale, third quarter 17th century, ivory, Gift of Robert H. Smith/Robert H. Smith Collection, 2022.181.80

Omphale

Artus Quellinus the Elder · third quarter 17th century · ivory ·  Accession ID  2022.181.80