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Element Fire Westside

Artus Quellinus the Elder1655-01-01/1655-01-20

Royal Palace Amsterdam

Royal Palace Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands

An African woman holds a shell-shaped dish in which a phoenix is emerging from flames. Beneath her is a putto, whose breath is wafting her upwards. Beside her face is the sun.

Additional information:
The phoenix is a mythical bird born out of fire. The blowing putto, symbolising wind, alludes to the element of air, and shows that fire is the lighter element. Both the black woman and the sun symbolise the south, where the sun stands highest in the sky and the tropical continent of Africa is to be found.

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  • Title: Element Fire Westside
  • Creator Lifespan: 1609 - 1668
  • Creator Nationality: Flemish
  • Creator Gender: Male
  • Creator Death Place: Antwerp
  • Creator Birth Place: Antwerp
  • Date Created: 1655-01-01/1655-01-20
  • Sculptor: Artus Quellinus
  • Place Part Of: Netherlands
  • Display: Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Description: Marble
  • Type: Sculpture
  • Rights: © Stichting Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam. Photo: Wim Ruigrok., ©Stichting Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam
Royal Palace Amsterdam

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