Diogenes Casting Away His Bowl 1661 - 1662

Salvator Rosa made this print, Diogenes Casting Away His Bowl, in the 17th century, a period marked by dramatic social and political upheaval across Europe. Rosa, living in Italy, was deeply influenced by these changes, which seeped into his artistic vision. Here, Rosa presents Diogenes, the philosopher known for his radical simplicity, discarding his only possession, a wooden bowl, after seeing a peasant drinking water from his hands. Diogenes embodies a rejection of societal norms, questioning what we truly need to live a fulfilling life. Stripping away the superficial, Diogenes is presented as a kind of revolutionary. Rosa's choice of Diogenes as a subject reflects his own rebellious spirit. “I have sworn to be owned by no one,” Rosa once said, revealing his desire for artistic and personal independence. It is a declaration of autonomy, challenging the constraints of his time, advocating for a life lived on one's own terms, free from the trappings of material wealth and social expectations.