Philosophers Instructing Pupils by an Antique Sarcophagus 1736 - 1770

Lorenzo Baldiserra Tiepolo rendered this drawing with pen and brown wash, depicting philosophers and pupils beside an antique sarcophagus. The sarcophagus, a potent symbol of mortality, anchors the scene. These stone coffins, adorned with reliefs, transcend mere burial, functioning as a stage for eternal narratives. Note the recurring motif of the open book, symbolising knowledge, seen scattered around the base of the sarcophagus. The unrolled scroll and open book—echoes of wisdom from antiquity—reappear across centuries, from the classical world to medieval illuminated manuscripts, each time signifying the quest for understanding. Consider the emotional weight carried by these objects. The melancholic reflection on mortality, paired with the lively pursuit of knowledge, represents the human condition. These symbols—the sarcophagus, the scroll—transcend time, reflecting our continuous dialogue with the past.