The Cynic Philosopher Crates / Domenico Fetti
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1966/2.2
- Title
- The Cynic Philosopher Crates
- Artist
- Domenico Fetti
- Artist Nationality
- Italian
- Artist Life Dates
- (ca. 1589 - 1624)
- Medium and Support
- oil on canvas
- Object Creation Date
- circa 1600-1624
- Object Creation Place
- Europe (continent)
- Italy (nation)
- Creation Place 1
- Europe (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- Italy (nation)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Style/Group/Movement
- Baroque era
- Dimensions
- 186.06 cm x 144.15 cm x 6.99 cm (73 1/4 in. x 56 3/4 in. x 2 3/4 in.)
- Century
- 17th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Painting
- Physical Description
- This painting shows a man seated on a bench, facing the viewer. He leans forward slightly and his right hand reaches across his body to point toward a group of coins on the ground. He is dressed in tattered clothing and his feet are bare. The bench where he is seated is inscribed with the letters: P. Q. P. C. /T. T. This is an outdoor scene with open sky in the background and some vegetation on a ledge above him, but there are no details to indicate the exact location. Another man is shown in the background at the right, walking hunched over and using a staff. There is a strong contrast between dark and light in this painting. The figure of the walking man and the dark shapes of buildings are outlined against the light backdrop of the sky. A strong warm light, from the left side of the painting, highlights the knees, hand and upper body of the seated man.
- Subject Matter
- This painting is a portrait of the Greek philosopher, Crates of Thebes. The writings of biographer, Diogenes Laertius, relate that Crates gave up his wealth to devote himself to the Cynic philosophy. The Cynics embraced poverty and hardship and spoke against social conventions which they believed were an impediment to living in accord with nature. Crates was nicknamed, "Door Opener" from his habit of entering houses to offer advice. A saying attributed to him was, " That a man ought to study philosophy, up to the point of looking on generals and donkey drivers in the same light."
- Here, Fetti has painted the philosopher, dressed in ragged clothing, as if he is speaking directly to the viewer. Crates is pointing to some coins on the ground beside him, perhaps a reference to his disgarded wealth or his life of poverty. The meaning of the initials carved on his bench is not known.
- Secondary Keywords
- architecture
- cloth
- descriptors
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- materials
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- materials by physical form
- people
- people (agents)
- people and culture
- people and occupations
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- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 855 x 1133
- File Size
- 71 KB
- Record
- 1966/2.2
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1966-sl-2.2/1966_2.2.jpg
Rights and Permissions
Related Links
IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1966-SL-2.2:1966_2.2.JPG
Cite this Item
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- Full citation
-
"The Cynic Philosopher Crates; Domenico Fetti." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1966-sl-2.2/1966_2.2.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 19, 2024.
