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Democritus
Hendrick ter Brugghen (signed by artist), 1628
The Greek philosophers Democritus and Heraclitus were considered to be polar opposites. In contrast to the old, melancholy Heraclitus (the nearby pendant), Democritus appears as a young, laughing hedonist. He points to the distance, as though that is where the folly of mankind is found. Together, the pair of paintings conveys a moralizing message: whether you laugh or cry, the world remains incurably foolish.
- Artwork typepainting
- Object numberSK-A-2783
- Dimensionssupport: height 85.7 cm x width 70 cm
- Physical characteristicsoil on canvas