Heads on shoulders , Portrait Busts in the Low Countries, 1600-1800

The exhibition "Heads on shoulders" highlights every aspect of portrait busts in 17th- and 18th-century art in the Low Countries. Portrait sculpture is perhaps associated most readily with famous politicians, dignitaries, scientists and aristocrats. But they were by no means the only ones to be immortalised in marble. From the end of the 18th century, famous actresses were, for example, also commonly depicted. However, this exhibition features not only portrait busts modelled from life, but also head-and-shoulder sculptures representing mythological characters, ancient philosophers and writers, and emperors of the past. Sculptures from classical antiquity were, after all, a source of great inspiration in 17th- and 18th-century art. Artists such as Artus Quellinus I, Lucas Faydherbe and Francois Duquesnoy were unparalleled masters at such realistic sculptures and, not surprisingly, they achieved great international fame in their lifetime. This forthcoming exhibition of busts of mythical heroes and rulers, true-to-life portrait sculptures of famous writers, members of the bourgeoisie and voluptuous actresses will introduce the visitor to the virtuosity of these artists.