Heraclitus — Hendrick ter Brugghen

Hendrick ter Brugghen. Painted 1628.

The Greek sage Heraclitus was known as the crying philosopher because he mourned the folly of mankind, while his opposite Democritus (the nearby pendant) could only laugh at it. Here Heraclitus looks like a melancholy old man. Downcast, he leans on a terrestrial globe and gestures dismissively with his left hand, as if to say: ‘All is for nought, the world will come to nothing.’

From the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Currently on display in The birth of the Republic / Mannerism and caravaggism, 17th Century, Main building.

oil paint (paint), canvas · Original size: 70 × 85.5 cm · Gift of B. Asscher, Amsterdam and H. Koetser, Amsterdam

Print: 70 × 85.5 cm, printed on Hahnemühle FineArt archival cotton paper. Museum-grade reproduction quality, true to the colours and detail of the original work.

Frame (optional): a custom-made wooden frame in a matte black finish, cut to the exact dimensions of this print, with an off-white passe-partout mat and protective glazing. Ready to hang.

Source: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200109168. Image released under CC0 by the Rijksmuseum.