Beeld van Apollo in de westelijke galerij van het Stadhuis op de Dam 1655

This is Hubert Quellinus’s depiction of ‘Beeld van Apollo in de westelijke galerij van het Stadhuis op de Dam’, an engraving. Immediately we see how the artist renders Apollo with soft gradations of light and shadow, giving a three-dimensional quality to the figure. The composition is structured vertically, emphasizing Apollo's poised stance over the vanquished serpent. This arrangement isn’t merely decorative, but a deliberate choice to convey power and triumph. The clean lines and careful shading create a sense of classical order. Quellinus uses line and form to communicate meaning. Apollo's laurel wreath and classical physique are not just aesthetic details, but signs that evoke a complex set of cultural values. The engraving then, becomes a statement about civic identity. The formal qualities of this work, from its composition to its detailed execution, reveal not just a depiction of a classical god, but an interpretation of cultural ideals.