Heraclitus 1628

hendrickterbrugghen1

charcoal drawing

possibly oil pastel

charcoal art

oil painting

portrait reference

portrait head and shoulder

underpainting

painting painterly

charcoal

watercolor

Hendrick ter Brugghen's "Heraclitus" (1628) is a striking example of the artist's mastery of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and shadow to create a dramatic effect. The painting depicts the Greek philosopher Heraclitus in profile, his face etched with wisdom and contemplation as he rests his chin on his hand. His bare arm and shoulder are dramatically illuminated, while the background is shrouded in darkness. Heraclitus is positioned before a globe, symbolizing his vast knowledge and philosophical insights. The realism and emotional depth of the painting make it a memorable portrayal of a significant historical figure.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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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.’