Versregels over Artus Quellinus after 1624

This is a poem, "Versregels over Artus Quellinus," penned by Joost van den Vondel. It’s a written tribute to the sculptor Artus Quellinus, esteemed as the "Dutch Phidias," a nod to the famous Greek sculptor. During the Dutch Golden Age, art wasn't just about aesthetics; it was deeply entangled with national identity. Vondel’s verses elevate Quellinus, intertwining his artistic prowess with Dutch pride and cultural identity. The poem suggests Stokade captured only half of Quellinus’ visible self, questioning whether he could truly capture the artist’s spirit and the fiery essence of his art. Vondel marvels at how Quellinus could seemingly carve himself out of marble. There’s an intimacy in these lines, a celebration of artistic kinship and the power of creation. It captures the emotional resonance art could have in shaping perceptions of identity and legacy during a transformative era. This piece embodies the desire to immortalize not just the artist, but the very spirit of Dutch art itself.