Reliëf met personificatie van het element Vuur boven boog aan westzijde van de Burgerzaal in het Stadhuis op de Dam 1663 - 1783

Hubert Quellinus made this relief depicting the personification of fire, part of the Burgerzaal in the Stadhuis on the Dam. It's an etching, made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. This process allowed for multiples, connecting the architecture to a wider audience through printed images. The etching captures the play of light on the original sculpted relief. Quellinus masterfully renders the textures of the stone, from the smooth skin of the figure to the feathery flames. The choice of etching emphasizes precision, mirroring the careful craftsmanship demanded by large-scale public works. Consider the labor involved, from quarrying the stone to the skilled carving required for the relief. Etchings like this one played a crucial role in disseminating artistic ideas, but also in celebrating civic achievements. It reminds us of the social context in which these objects were made. It challenges our traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.