Democritus — History & Facts
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.
More Artworks by Hendrick ter Brugghen
Browse all →
More Portrait Art
Browse all →
Las meninas
Diego Velázquez
Self-portrait with a Bandaged Ear and Pipe
Unidentified artist
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Johannes Vermeer
The Sampling Officials of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild, Known as ‘The Syndics’
Rembrandt van Rijn
The Hundred Guilder Print: the man seen on the back in the lower left corner
Rembrandt van Rijn
Portrait of Dr Gachet
Vincent van Gogh