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Diogenes
(18th and 19th Centuries )
The Greek philosopher Diogenes (404-323 BC) is seated in his abode, the earthenware tub, in the Metroon, Athens, lighting the lamp in daylight with which he was to search for an honest man. His companions were dogs that also served as emblems of his "Cynic" (Greek: "kynikos," dog-like) philosophy, which emphasized an austere existence. Three years after this painting was first exhibited, Gerome was appointed a professor of painting at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts where he would instruct many students, both French and foreign.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Purchased by Goupil et Cie, Paris, March 7 1865 (from whom purchased is unclear); purchased by Ernest Gambart, London, March 3 1861; purchased by August Belmont, New York, before 1864 [1]; August Belmont Sale, New York, November, 1872, no. 31; purchased by William T. Walters, Baltimore, 1872; by inheritance, Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1894; by bequest, Walters Art Museum, 1931.
[1] The Belmont Gallery : on exhibition for the benefit of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, Monday, April 4, to Saturday, April 9th : open every day from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., 109 Fifth Avenue, cor. 18th Street, entrance 4 East 18th St., No. 51.
Exhibitions
| 2014-2016 | From Rye to Raphael: The Walters Story. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2012 | Public Property. |
| 2010-2011 | The Spectacular Art of Jean-Léon Gérôme. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; Musee D'Orsay, Paris; Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid. |
| 2001 | Gérôme and Goupil: Art and Enterprise. Musée Goupil, Bordeaux; Dahesh Museum of Art, New York; The Frick Art & Historical Center, Pittsburgh. |
| 1972-1973 | Jean-Léon Gérôme. Dayton Art Institute, Dayton; Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis; The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1968 | Hommage à Baudelaire. Art Gallery, University of Maryland, College Park. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 3/31/1943 | Treatment | varnish removed; inpainted; coated |
| 8/27/1964 | Treatment | surface cleaned |
| 10/20/1964 | Treatment | surface cleaned; lined; inpainted; coated |
| 2/25/1992 | Treatment | surface cleaned |
| 1/10/2000 | Loan Consideration | examined for loan |
| 9/27/2000 | Treatment | surface cleaned; varnish reduced; coated; inpainted |
| 5/21/2001 | Loan Consideration | examined for loan |
Geographies
France (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 29 5/16 x W: 39 3/4 in. (74.5 x 101 cm); Framed H: 41 7/16 x W: 52 3/16 x D: 6 in. (105.25 x 132.56 x 15.24 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. Walters, 1872
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.131
