Caesar van Everdingen: Diogenes Looking for an honest man (1652)

(Mauritshuis, The Hague, the Netherlands)

A painting by the dutch artist Caesar van Everdingen (1617 - 1678). this is a so-called 'Portrait historié' - a portrait of somebody in an historical or mythological setting. In this case it is a portrait a family (perhaps of the family Steyn). The man holding the lantern is Diogenes of Sinope, a Greek philosopher (412-323 BC). According to a popular tale, Diogenes would sometimes stroll in Athens in full daylight with a lamp. When asked what he was doing, he would answer, "I am just looking for an honest man" but reputedly found nothing but rascals and scoundrels. The large church in the background is the Cathedral of Saint Bavo in Haarlem. Painting from 1652.