Painting techniques and history

Philosophy

Analyzing Rembrandt

The following paper is a response to questions regarding the painting, "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer." The painting was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1653. It is oil on canvas and access to the painting is gained by the website of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, physically located in New York City.

The paper will first contextualize the painting, trying to situated in history and establish a historical perspective by which further interpretation of the painting. Rembrandt completed this painting at the approximate midpoint of the 17th century. As in many centuries in history, the 17th century was a century full of achievement, development, and conflict. Rembrandt is a European artist, so the paper will summarize some of the developments in Europe during this period. Culturally, Europe entered the Early Modern period as well as the Baroque period. There was a huge surge in culture with respect to music. Furthermore, more so toward the conclusion of this century, there was a scientific and mathematical revolution in Europe. Prominent figures apart of this scientific surge included Sir Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei, among others. Concepts that are taught as basic science and intermediate mathematics in the 21st century were innovations during the 17th century. Quite obviously this was a period where there was great colonization and imperialism around the world, particularly in the newly "discovered" Americas. Slavery, trade, and expansion were booming endeavors for prominent European countries during the 17th century. Philosophically, Europe entered the famous Enlightenment period. Philosophy is certainly a prominent concept in the painting; therefore Rembrandt's painting, at the time, must have been praised or noted for how very contemporary the content was. The painting, among other expressions of the time, was an accurate and apt sign of the times, conceptually and thematically.

The painting is an expression of the conversation between poetry and philosophy. Aristotle was an eminent philosopher of his time and long after his passing. In the 21st century, in the western world and beyond, Aristotle's teaching are often a part of the fundamental curriculum for areas of study in higher education such as political science, philosophy, law, debate/speech/oration, and others. Aristotle is a figure that represents authority, contemplation, adoration, respect, and thoughtful intellectualism. In the painting, he stands, with his hand on his hop, decorated in formal wear, that of a soldier or at least a figure not of the lower classes. He is decorated with a golden sash and a medal resembling Alexander the Great, a man whom Aristotle finally tortured. This is a very dense expression of what Aristotle represents with respect to philosophy. Aristotle embodies philosophy with strength, with authority, with a conquering type power that can overcome those who would claim the world in their names, such as Alexander the Great. Aristotle stands in an open and confident stance as he peers and contemplates the bust of Homer. In the painting, Aristotle represents philosophy as all of these things, yet still intellectual, taking time to remember and consider great figures of the past. This is the position from which the conversation between philosophy and poetry takes place, or at least begins or is situated.

Homer was an epic poet of an earlier period in history than the one from which Aristotle was a part of. As the reader might know or imagine, artists and sculptors did not make busts of figures who were considered ordinary. Thus, to make a bust of Homer is to pay homage and commemorate his greatness as a writer and poet, as well as his greatness because he contributed positively and strongly to his contemporary culture and the cultures of the future. Thus the painting is a conversation between poetry and philosophy across time. Both men in the painting were Greek, so there is some similarity in culture. This is an interesting consideration if we consider the painting a conversation. Imagine a conversation between American culture in the 17th century and the 21st century in a painting. It would be an intriguing juxtaposition and consideration. This kind of consideration occurs in Rembrandt's painting within Greek culture. Furthermore, it is clear that the painting conveys that there is a conversation between poetry and philosophy. Philosophy and poetry are related and connected; they converse and they appreciate each other. Philosophy respects poetry and has admiration for it. Philosophy remembers poetry and integrates what is poetic into the practice and application of philosophy. Poetry has pride of the philosophy and philosophers that came after or sprang forth after the era of poetry in which Homer was prominent. Poetry looks on with respect and hope toward the philosophy of the future. There is some kind implied approval of philosophy and a kind of hopeful nostalgia from philosophy toward poetry. This is the conversation happening in this painting by Rembrandt as the paper perceives it.