by Rembrandt van Rijn, 1653
Rembrandt completed this Aristotle with a Bust of Homer in 1653 for the Sicilian collector Don Antonio Ruffo. The philosopher stands in rich Renaissance dress, his hand resting contemplatively on a bust of the blind poet Homer. A golden chain with a medallion of Alexander (Aristotle's pupil) hangs from his neck.
The painting meditates on fame, wisdom, and mortality. Aristotle seems to ponder the fate of even the greatest minds: Homer is now merely stone. In 1961 the Metropolitan Museum purchased it at auction for $2.3 million, then a world record for any artwork.

Ancient Greek (Unknown), -500
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Ancient Greek (Unknown), -390
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Diego Velázquez
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Ancient Egyptian (Unknown), -1070
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Other masterpieces from the Baroque movement

Frans Hals, 1624
Wallace Collection, London
Johannes Vermeer, 1666
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Johannes Vermeer, 1665
Mauritshuis, The Hague

El Greco, 1614
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Johannes Vermeer, 1670
Louvre, Paris, Paris

Johannes Vermeer, 1664
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Johannes Vermeer, 1663
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Diego Velázquez, 1650
National Gallery, London
Luxury wall art with the same mood and energy. Gallery-quality canvas, no museum crowds.
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