Hendrick ter BrugghenDutch, 1588–1629Democritus
May one see it?
Yes, receiving visitors
Rijksmuseum
Room2.1Amsterdam, Netherlands
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
The Greek philosophers Democritus and Heraclitus were considered to be polar opposites. In contrast to the old, melancholy Heraclitus (the nearby pendant), Democritus appears as a young, laughing hedonist. He points to the distance, as though that is where the folly of mankind is found. Together, the pair of paintings conveys a moralizing message: whether you laugh or cry, the world remains incurably foolish.
Rijksmuseum
Particulars
- Accession number
- SK-A-2783
What it shows
In the catalog
Comings and goings
On view · Room 2.1
Rijksmuseum · Sep 29, 2026 — now · Verified
Whether it was on view is unknown
Rijksmuseum · Unconfirmed
Sources
- Rijksmuseum
- Image: Rijksmuseum — public domain
