Aristotle with a Bust of Homer
A philosopher in a gold chain rests his hand on a blind poet's bust, lost in thought: a late Rembrandt and the Met's most famous auction purchase. Full commentary ↓
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Aristotle with a Bust of Homer is an oil painting by Rembrandt (1653) in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It measures 143.5 × 136.5 cm.
In the pictureIn the darkness, a man with a broad hat and white sleeves rests his right hand on the head of a marble bust. A gold chain hangs from his shoulder to his waist, with a medal attached. The bust is of the blind poet Homer. The man's gaze is directed not at the bust but into space, and his left hand touches the chain at his waist. The light falls only on the face, the sleeves and the bust.
BackgroundThe painting was made in 1653 on commission from Antonio Ruffo, a Sicilian nobleman. Aristotle was the teacher of Alexander the Great, and the chain and medal around his neck are interpreted as gifts from Alexander. Some read it as the philosopher weighing worldly wealth and honor (the chain) against eternal poetry (Homer), others as Rembrandt himself, hard pressed by commissions. In 1961 the Metropolitan Museum of Art bought it for what was then the highest price ever paid for a work of art at auction, and it made the news.
Puzzle tipAs a puzzle, darkness covers more than half the picture. First join the bright pieces, the white sleeves, face, bust and gold chain, to build the figure's shape, then turn on the preview and sort the dark pieces by fine differences of brown, black and reddish tones. The line of gold dots along the chain is a good clue.
- Artist
- Dutch, Leiden 1606–1669 Amsterdam
- Classification
- Paintings
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 143.5 x 136.5 cm
- Credit line
- Purchase, special contributions and funds given or bequeathed by friends of the Museum, 1961
Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art ↗
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