ANONYMOUS (17TH CENTURY) "Heraclitus and Democritus"

Oil on canvas. Provenance: Collection of the Counts of Altamira. In the lower right corner, collection number 370, corresponding to the post-mortem inventory of Vicente Joaquin Osorio de Moscoso, 15th Count of Altamira. In the 17th century, series featuring ancient philosophers were common in the decoration of large houses. Examples can be found in the Morata Palace of the Marquis of Leganes, from which this painting may have come, or in the collection of Pablo Recio Tello, considered the most complete and valuable for its quality. The theme of depicting the philosophers Heraclitus and Democritus was widely popular in painting, as it allowed artists to capture two opposing vital attitudes: Heraclitus, the one who cries and is pessimistic, and Democritus, the one who laughs and is positive. Measurements: 102 x 124 cm.