Heraclitus

Hendrick ter Brugghen (c. 1588–1629), oil on canvas, 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.’

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-2784
  • Dimensionsheight 85.5 cm x width 70 cm
  • Physical characteristicsolieverf op doek