Omphale

Artus Quellinus the Elder

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a seated figure of a woman, who is partially draped with a flowing cloth, as she holds onto a tree trunk with her right hand and rests her left foot on the base. The sculpture is crafted from a material resembling ivory, giving it a smooth, creamy white appearance with shading that highlights the intricacies of the folds in the cloth and the detailed depiction of hair. The woman is shown in a relaxed posture and is looking slightly upwards. The sculpture rests on a dark wooden rectangular plinth, which contrasts with the light color of the statue. The craftsmanship of the figure and the texture of the material suggest a careful attention to detail, particularly in the portrayal of the naturalistic human form and the textures of the materials.