Philosopher in Meditation

Common card · No. 478329

Philosopher in Meditation, recently renamed Philosopher in Contemplation by the museum, is the traditional title of an oil painting in the Musée du Louvre, Paris, that is attributed to the 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt. It is signed "RHL-van Rijn" and dated 1632, at the time of Rembrandt's move from Leiden to Amsterdam. Recent scholarship suggests that the painting depicts "Tobit and Anna waiting for their son Tobias" instead. This interpretation is given in an auction catalogue from 1738 (see "Subject matter"), the earliest known source that clearly refers to this painting. The painting was brought in the middle of the 18th century from The Hague to Paris, where it was associated with another painting ascribed to Rembrandt similar in size, style and motifs; i.e. a small figure in an interior with a spiral staircase (see "Companion piece"). Sold as pendants and identified as "Philosophers", the paintings enjoyed great popularity, making the rounds of major aristocratic collections...

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