(Bruges 1558–1617 Haarlem)
The Table of Cebes,
oil on canvas, 106 x 195.5 cm, framed
Provenance:
Private collection, France, 2020;
where bought by the present owner
This composition and the painting by Joseph Plepp (1595–1642) in the Kunstmuseum Bern are after the same Jacob Matham engraving, from a Goltzius design. It shows the Table of Cebes or Tabula Cebetis (erroneously ascribed to a Theban contemporary of Plato). It shows the pitfalls that can befall a young man on the path to enlightenment (usually depicted with three concentric walls) along with the virtues and learning he may encounter along the way. This subject was also engraved by Hans Holbein among others and was popular from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries.
We use cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience, perform site traffic analysis, and deliver content and advertisements most relevant to your interests.
Cookie management:
By allowing these cookies, you agree to the deposit, reading and use of tracking technologies necessary for their proper functioning. Read more about our privacy policy.
