HERACLITUS (?), early 17 century

Pen over graphite, bistre, wash; paper cut to a round shape and stuck down onto a mount; 211 x 213 mm.
Prov.: From the Lubomirski collection.
Old inv. no.: 8336.

The figure of an old pensive man sitting in an interior filled with books and with an open volume on a table may be interpreted as a picture of a scholar. The type of face and the gesture of the hand stroking the long beard appear in representations of the "crying philosopher" Heraclitus, commiserating with the misfortunes of mankind. Originally ascribed to F. Floris. According to an oral suggestion of A. Zwollo, it can be ascribed to Matham.