Artwork
Diogenes Casting Away his Bowl
Diogenes Casting Away his Bowl is a print by the Baroque artist Salvator Rosa. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Diogenes Casting Away his Bowl is a print by Salvator Rosa, a prolific artist known for his etchings, drawings, and paintings. The work depicts a scene from classical Antiquity.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates the story of Diogenes, an Ancient philosopher, who discards his last possession, a bowl, after observing a young boy drinking from his hands. This anecdote represents the ideals of self-sufficiency and detachment from worldly concerns.
Technique & Style
Rosa's work is characterized by the energy and intensity associated with Neapolitan art, which influenced him from an early stage in his career.
Context
The print reflects Rosa's fascination with subjects drawn from classical Antiquity, a theme that recurs throughout his oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into…
