Salvator Rosa (Arenella 1615-1673 Rome)

A study for a picture of the same subject which, according to Filippo Baldinucci, was commissioned from Rosa by the Marchese Carlo Gerini in circa 1640 (now at Broughton Hall, Skipton; see L. Salerno, L'opera completa di Salvator Rosa, Milan, 1975, no. 86). The picture was conceived as a pendant to The Philosopher's Grove (now in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence). Both represented scenes from the lives of the Cynics, a school of philosophy to which Rosa was particularly attracted: The Philosopher's Grove showed Diogenes, while Crates depicted one of Diogenes' chief followers demonstrating his disregard for worldly goods by throwing his riches into the sea. The inscription on the verso, 'Amico carissimo [Dearest friend]' shows that Rosa had originally intended to use the sheet for a letter.