The Magnanimity of Seleucus

Quellinus made three marble reliefs for the Vierschaar (Tribunal) in the Amsterdam Town Hall. Each is devoted to an example of sound judgement from antiquity. This is the clay model for the marble relief of Seleucus who decreed that his son’s eyes be gouged out. To spare him from total blindness, Seleucus shared his son’s punishment and had one of his own eyes put out – a paragon of magnanimity.

The Magnanimity of Seleucus

Quellinus made three marble reliefs for the Vierschaar (Tribunal) in the Amsterdam Town Hall. Each is devoted to an example of sound judgement from antiquity. This is the clay model for the marble relief of Seleucus who decreed that his son’s eyes be gouged out. To spare him from total blindness, Seleucus shared his son’s punishment and had one of his own eyes put out – a paragon of magnanimity.