Heraclitus — History & Facts
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.’
More Artworks by Hendrick ter Brugghen
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Self-portrait with a Bandaged Ear and Pipe
Unidentified artist
Girl with a Pearl Earring
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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