Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Unknown Artist - An Old Man holding a Pilgrim-Bottle [c.1650s]


A pilgrim bottle could be attached by cords to the waist of a traveller or pilgrim. The subject may be the Greek philosopher Democritus, who is often shown grinning, worldly wise, at a globe that represents the world. Once thought to be Spanish, a recent attribution to Pietro Bellotti (1627 - 1700) has been proposed.

[Oil on canvas, 112.5 x 91.5 cm]

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