Here’s a fine salon painting of the great Diogenes, the Greek philosopher who lived in a pot… He publicly mocked Alexander the Great (according to Plutarch, Alexander met Diogenes while he was resting in the sunlight, in the morning and when Alexander, eager to meet the great philosopher, asked him if there were any favor he could do for him – the philosopher replied “Yes, stand out of my sunlight.”
He’s getting his lamp ready – in the light of day – so he can go search for one honest man. He’s surrounded by “wonder dogs” who gave the name to his school of philosophy: cynicism.
For a higher rez version of this painting and other works by Jean-Leon Gerome visit this wikipaintings webpage.
(Thanks Steve for sending this in!)
Art is Life 