Giovanni Castiglione

The Philosopher Diogenes searching for an honest man

The Philosopher Diogenes searching for an honest man by Giovanni Castiglione

Artwork Detail

The subject of Diogenes was significant for Castiglione, as he produced a number of works in different mediums on the theme. Lives of the Philosophers (1:2), records that Diogenes Laertius set out by lamplight to search for a man of honest worth. Founder of the Cynics, Diogenes felt that materialism inevitably led to a loss of virtue. Although the print is sometimes described as unfinished, by deliberately omitting part of the philosopher’s arm Castiglione creates a metaphor for Diogenes’ belief that light (Truth) is more powerful than form. (A Connoisseur's Eye: Prints from the Tomory Collection, 2005)

Title
The Philosopher Diogenes searching for an honest man
Artist/creator
Giovanni Castiglione
Production date
1645-1650
Medium
etching
Dimensions
220 x 312 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Peter Tomory Collection, purchased 2004
Accession no
2004/30/46
Copyright
No known copyright restrictions
Department
International Art
Display status
Not on display

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