Giovanni Battista Beinaschi (Fossano 1634 ca. - Naples 1688)
Portrait of the philosopher Democritus (showing a book with a white cover)
Oil on canvas (82 x 64 cm - Framed 95 x 75 cm)
Painting details (click HERE)
The painting shows an intense image of the Greek philosopher Democritus, portrayed as a mature man holding a book, an emblem of a life dedicated to study, and is proposed here as a pendant to the portrait of the philosopher Heraclitus (see photos in the details).
This type of subject, dedicated to the great philosophers or scholars of antiquity, was very dear to the figurative tradition and the collecting taste of the seventeenth century: in our case we have one of the two cardinal figures of presocratic philosophical thought, often combined because of their opposite and complementary vision of the human condition.
If we go into the detail of the iconography of the two philosophers, Heraclitus and Democritus, the portrait presented here follows the tradition that, in general, contrasts the shady and contemplative character of the former with a character that is more open and detached from the becoming of the world of the latter.
This opposite attitude towards reality and the human condition has made them symbolic figures in thought and a favorite subject for various artists, especially in the Baroque era, for the strong symbolic value and for its implications in the interpretation of the human condition (1).
In the proposed painting, in particular, Democritus ‘the atomist philosopher’, turns a fixed and detached gaze at the observer, which represents his vision of life.
According to his philosophy, in fact, all reality is just a dance of atoms without meaning and it is therefore useless to try to find meaning in existence. There is no need to grieve over the absurdity of the world, but on the contrary to distance oneself from passions, to face them lightly.
The observer is captured by the enigmatic nature of his expression, and the book with the white cover that the philosopher holds in his hand becomes its symbol.
As for the style of the proposed work, the scholar is described with a profound scenographic setting in a vigorous Baroque style, with marked somatic traits. The backlighting effects and a magical chiaroscuro atmosphere make the character dynamic, oriented towards a light source that brushes his face.
Studying the characteristics and relative details, we can circumscribe its attributive scope to the late-Baroque painter Giovan Battista Beinaschi (1634 - 1688), whose prolific activity was concentrated between Rome, where he was trained, and Naples. Nevertheless, he moved frequently throughout his career between Turin, Parma, perhaps Bologna and Genoa, assimilating varied artistic influences from each place.
If, at first, he showed a propensity for Roman classicism, this influence was soon supplanted by an increasingly pronounced approach to the Baroque cultural front.
(1) We can find many examples in art with this interesting iconography, for example in the “Heraclitus and Democritus” by Hendrick ter Brugghen (1619, property Christie's, London, https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6298681?ldp_breadcrumb=back ), or in the same subject by Gregorio Preti (https://mattia-preti.it/279-eraclito-e-democrito/ ).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is sold complete with a gilded wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.
We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery of Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.
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