Aristotle with a Bust of Homer (Dutch: Aristoteles bij de buste van Homerus), also known as Aristotle Contemplating a Bust of Homer, is an oil-on-canvas painting by Rembrandt that depicts Aristotle wearing a gold chain and contemplating a sculpted bust of Homer. It was created as a commission for Don Antonio Ruffo’s collection. It was bought and sold by several collectors until it was eventually purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The mysterious tone in the painting has led several scholars to different interpretations of Rembrandt’s theme.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle_with_a_Bust_of_Homer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt

  • snek_boi
    2·
    2 months ago

    Huh… maybe my perception of Aristotle is a caricature. I don’t know why I thought of him as living in very rudimentary spaces and wearing basic clothing. This painting suggests otherwise. I wonder to what extent it is historically accurate.

    • SadSadSatellite @lemmy.dbzer0.com
      4·
      2 months ago

      I can’t speak for the environments, but clothing was fairly basic two part tunics for most people during Aristotle’s time. This painting was done 1300 years after his death, and during a time when much of history could be just conjecture.