Diogenes, 17th century
Johann Carl Lothexpand_more
Oil on canvasexpand_more
The John R. Van Derlip Fundexpand_more 67.50
On View in Gallery 308expand_more
A Greek philosopher of the 4th century BCE, Diogenes was a founder of Cynicism, which scorned social norms and polite behavior, advocated an austere and simple life, and held self-control and virtue to be the most important human traits.
Diogenes is depicted with his lantern, a reference to the story that he carried a lamp around in daylight hours as he searched for an honest man in a society of scoundrels. The owls (birds associated with the goddess Athena) likely allude to the city of Athens, where Diogenes lived for a time.
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Details
- Title
- Diogenes
- Artist Life
- 1632–1698
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 67.50
- Curator Approved
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