Giovanni Battista Beinaschi (Fossano 1634 ca. - Naples 1688) Portrait of the philosopher Heraclitus (absorbed in reading) Oil on canvas (82 x 64 cm - Framed 95 x 75 cm) Painting details (click HERE) The painting shows an intense image of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, portrayed as a mature man holding a book in his hands, an emblem of a life dedicated to study, and is proposed here as a pendant to the portrait of the philosopher Democritus (see photo in details). This type of subject, dedicated to the great philosophers or scholars of antiquity, was very dear to the figurative tradition and the collecting taste of the seventeenth century: in our case we have one of the two cardinal figures of pre-Socratic philosophical thought, often paired because of their opposite and complementary view of the human condition. If we go into the detail of the iconography of the two philosophers, Heraclitus and Democritus, the portrait presented here follows the tradition which, in general, contrasts the shady and contemplative character of the former, with a more open and detached character from the becoming of the world of the latter. This opposite attitude towards reality and the human condition has made them symbolic figures in thought and a favorite subject by various artists, especially in the Baroque era, for the strong symbolic value and for its implications in the interpretation of the human condition (1). In the proposed painting, in particular, Democritus 'the atomist philosopher', turns a fixed and detached gaze at the observer, which represents his vision of life. According to his philosophy, in fact, all reality is just a dance of atoms without meaning and it is therefore useless to try to find a meaning to existence. There is no need to grieve in the face of the absurdity of the world, but rather to distance oneself from passions and face them lightly. The observer is captivated by the enigmatic nature of his expression and the book with the white cover that the philosopher holds in his hand becomes its symbol. In the proposed painting, in particular, Heraclitus 'the obscure philosopher', turns his furrowed gaze to the open book aware of the tragic fragility that overwhelms things, with the gesture of hand to turn the pages. With regard to the style of the proposed work, the scholar is described with a deep scenographic setting in a vigorous baroque style, with marked somatic traits. The backlight effects and a magical atmosphere of chiaroscuro make the character dynamic, oriented towards a light source that grazes his face. By studying the characteristics and related details, we can circumscribe the attributive scope to the late-Baroque painter Giovan Battista Beinaschi (1634 - 1688), whose prolific activity was concentrated between Rome, where his training took place, and Naples. Nevertheless, he moved frequently throughout his career between Turin, Parma, perhaps Bologna and Genoa, assimilating various artistic influences from each place. If, at first, he showed a propensity for Roman classicism, this influence was soon supplanted by an increasingly pronounced approach to the Baroque cultural front. (1) We can find many examples in art with this interesting iconography, for example in Hendrick ter Brugghen's "Heraclitus and Democritus" (1619, Christie's property, London, https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6298681?ldp_breadcrumb=back ), or in the same subject by Gregorio Preti (https://mattia-preti.it/279-eraclito-e-democrito/ ). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is sold complete with a gilded wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/