Reliëf op het timpaan op de voorgevel van het Stadhuis op de Dam 1658 - 1668

This is Hubert Quellinus’s relief on the tympanum of the Town Hall on the Dam, held at the Rijksmuseum. It depicts allegorical figures and marine creatures in a scene of civic virtue, made with profound classical influences. Dominating the scene is the figure of Justice at the apex, easily identified by her scales, an emblem spanning cultures from ancient Egypt to Greece. This symbol transcends mere legal fairness; it speaks to a universal longing for equilibrium. Note the horses emerging from the sea; these are not merely steeds but Neptunian horses, mythical creatures associated with water and Poseidon. These symbols recur across time. Think of the Roman equestrian statues, where the horse signifies power and authority, a motif that continues to resonate. This relief shows these creatures born of the sea, symbols of mastery. Observe how collective memory has shaped our understanding; the symbolic weight of Justice, combined with the untamed force of the sea, touches deep, psychological chords. The artist engages the subconscious, evoking images of power, control, and the eternal quest for balance. It's a cyclical journey where the past continuously reshapes our present.