Artwork
Artus Quellinus the Elder
Artus Quellinus the Elder is an ink print by the Baroque artist Hubertus Quellinus. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Hubertus Quellinus produced an etching in 1665 that bears the name Artus Quellinus the Elder. Executed on laid paper, the work is a monochrome portrait now part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a dignified gentleman with curled hair, a moustache and a neatly trimmed beard. He gazes directly, his hands resting on a small object that may be a book or a sheet of paper, suggesting scholarly or administrative activity.
Technique & Style
Created by etching, the artist incised lines into a metal plate, which were then inked and pressed onto the paper. The fine hatching and delicate rendering of the ruffled collar and coat illustrate the precision typical of mid‑17th‑century Dutch printmaking.
History & Provenance
Since its execution in the mid‑1660s, the print has remained in the public domain, eventually entering the holdings of the National Gallery of Art. The museum’s records list it under the artist’s name and date, confirming its provenance.
Context
The portrait belongs to a period when the Quellinus family were prominent artists in the Southern Netherlands, often producing commemorative images of notable figures. The inclusion of an ornate frame with scrollwork and Latin inscription reflects contemporary practices of presenting prints as collectible objects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hubertus Quellinus or Hubert Quellinus was a Flemish printmaker, drawing artist and painter and a member of the prominent Quellinus family of artists.
