Amsterdam honours its own Golden Age sculpture master

Imposing but delicate marble sculptures of Graeco-Roman-style figures grace the vaulted corridors of a huge palace.

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But this isn’t Florence or Rome. This is Amsterdam.

As part of celebrations to mark 750 years since the founding of the Dutch capital, the city is unveiling an exhibition dedicated to Artus Quellinus, the 17th century “sculptor of Amsterdam”.

Virtually unknown outside Flanders in present-day Belgium where he made his name, the city has Quellinus to thank for the decorations on the Royal Palace that dominates the city's iconic Dam Square.

Quellinus “lifted our sculpture to a new level” with a fresh style, Dutch art historian Bieke van der Mark said.