Saturn, Model for a High Relief in the Amsterdam Town Hall (now Royal Palace) at Dam Square c. 1652 - 1653

This terracotta relief, created by Artus Quellinus the Elder around 1652-1653, is a model for a high relief that was intended for the Amsterdam Town Hall (now the Royal Palace). The sculpture, depicting Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture, holding a child, is a striking example of Baroque art. The dynamic composition, the strong sense of movement, and the dramatic use of light and shadow are characteristic of this period. The relief is a testament to the skill of Quellinus, a leading sculptor of his time. The model is now in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, giving us a glimpse into the artistic ambitions of 17th-century Amsterdam.