Buste van Apollo of Diana 1646 - 1670

Hubert Quellinus created this bust of Apollo or Diana with pen in hand in the Netherlands during the 17th century. The resurgence of classical ideals during the Renaissance sparked a renewed fascination with Greek and Roman mythology, thus the subject of this piece. However, this work was produced after the Peace of Munster which marks the separation of the Dutch Republic and the Southern Netherlands. Considering this context, this bust is less about religion, and more about the influence of cultural institutions. The bust is not so much a devotional icon, but an aesthetic exercise. This pen drawing on paper would have been a study for a larger sculptural work or perhaps a teaching aid for art students. We can see how the choice of subject matter and medium reveals the social conditions and institutional frameworks that shaped artistic production in the Dutch Republic. Art historical research relies on contextualizing artworks within their historical and cultural frameworks. We can better understand the meanings and functions of art by studying period documents such as artists' letters, museum records, and cultural criticism.