Buste van keizer Hadrianus 1646 - 1670

Hubert Quellinus created this engraving, "Buste van keizer Hadrianus," a study of the Roman emperor Hadrian, using line and form to evoke the weight and presence of classical sculpture. The composition is dominated by the bust, rendered with meticulous detail, from the intricate curls of Hadrian's hair to the defined musculature of his chest. Quellinus employs a dense network of fine lines to model the form, creating subtle gradations of light and shadow that give the image volume and depth. The texture of the marble is implied through the careful hatching and cross-hatching, a technique that not only defines the shape but also adds a tactile quality to the print. This formal approach invites us to consider how Quellinus uses the medium of engraving to translate the three-dimensional qualities of sculpture into a two-dimensional plane. The print captures not just the likeness of Hadrian but also the artistic and philosophical interest in classical antiquity during the artist's time.