Sujet

Solon before Croesus, about 1650-1652. Creator: Nikolaus Knüpfer.

Légende

Solon before Croesus, about 1650-1652. Additional Info: The sage Solon stands in the foreground at the base of the stairs leading to the dais. His humble dress, long beard, and admonishing gesture contrasts with the extravagantly dressed figure of the king who points dramatically at the riches before him. In this moralizing scene from Greek legend, the wealthy King Croesus calls an audience with Solon, an Athenian lawmaker and philosopher. After proudly displaying his immense wealth, the king asks Solon to name the happiest man he has ever met. Solon does not name Croesus, instead responding that he could call no man happy until his life was so judged at its end and that humble people were often more content than the wealthiest kings. This moralistic tale, extremely popular in 1600s Holland, reflected the culture's ambivalent attitudes toward wealth and consumption.

Crédit

Photo12/Heritage Images/Heritage Art

Notre référence

HRM24A63_334

Model release

NA

Property release

NA

Licence

Droits gérés

Format disponible

47,8Mo (2,0Mo) / 42,0cm x 28,5cm / 4960 x 3370 (300dpi)

Mots clés

Europe people historical panel sitting arts painting politics country monarch art steps Netherlands Dutch room color king royal scene Greek Greece step political Athens depiction location century stairs platform artwork literature royalty concept legend mythology seated politician 17th century Colour dais legendary poet Athenian Ancient Greece Greek mythology politicians legislator throne Ancient Greek Asia Minor statesman culture history historic seventeenth century Lydia Lydian mythical figure sovereign TGN throne chair throne room Croesus Lawmaker Herodotus Solon Painting Heritage Art mythological figure Low Countries Nikolaus Kn?pfer Kn?pfer Nikolaus Knupfer Nikolaus Knupfer Nicolaus Kn?pfer Nicolaus Kn?pfer Nicolaes Nicolaus Knupfer Knufer Nicolaus Knuffer Nikolaus Nicolaes Knupfer Panel painting