Aristotle 

Luca Giordano painted this image of Aristotle, in Italy, around 1700. It is an oil on canvas. Here, Giordano uses Aristotle as a figure through which to explore the power of knowledge. The philosopher is caught in a moment of contemplation, his brow furrowed and eyes downcast as he gestures towards a geometric diagram in an open book. In the 17th century, the rise of scientific societies and academies placed renewed emphasis on the importance of empirical observation and mathematical reasoning. Artists like Giordano found in the classical world, figures who represented the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. To understand this work fully, we would want to research the prevailing intellectual currents of the late 17th century, exploring the ways in which art was used to promote new ideas and ways of knowing. We might look at the patronage networks that supported artists and intellectuals alike, as well as the social and political contexts in which these works were created and displayed.