Aristotle with a Bust of Homer

Aristotle with a Bust of Homer by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn): Purchase, special contributions and funds given or bequeathed by friends of the Museum, 1961

What to notice

Follow Aristotle’s hand from the gold chain to Homer’s marble head; light links worldly honor, touch, and inward reflection across the large dark canvas.

Discover

Rembrandt painted Aristotle with a Bust of Homer in 1653. Aristotle rests one hand on the ancient poet’s marble head and the other near a gold chain, setting inherited wisdom, worldly honor, and private reflection into visual dialogue.