The Portrait of the Learned Man

In the 3rd century BC, the portrayal of men of thinking, philosophers, orators and scientists centred on certain recurrent features: a concentrated face with contracted eyebrows, a thick beard and often tousled hair. Their sole garment was a cloak (himation) worn on one or both shoulders, leaving the chest partially bare. The most common position was seated, sometimes leaning forward, accompanied by a reference to intellectual activity in the form of a gesture or attribute such as a scroll (volumen) or a stick with which to draw figures.

Cameo portrait of Archimedes

Cameo portrait of Archimedes

15th-16th century (?)

Portrait of Crysippus

Portrait of Crysippus

Mid-1st century AD

Male bust, so-called Diogenes

Male bust, so-called Diogenes

Early 2nd century AD