1662
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Democritus in Meditation is a 1662 ink by Salvator Rosa, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows an old man sitting on a stone ledge, lost in thought. His head is in his hand, and he wears loose, wrinkled clothes. A tree with twisted branches grows behind him, its roots spreading over a rough wall. Near his feet, a dog lies on the ground, and a small child crouches beside him, looking up. The Latin text at the bottom means "Democritus, the laugher, dies laughing." This refers to the philosopher known for his joyful outlook. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Rosa made detailed prints.
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 the early 19th century.
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