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Gerhard van Honthorst | The steadfast philosopher, 1623
This contribution concerns the style and iconography of Gerard van Honthorst's Steadfast Philosopher. The painting, signed and dated 1623, belongs to the collection of George Encil. It was included in the exhibition New Light on the Golden Age, held in Utrecht and Braunschweig in 1986-1987. Since then it has been on loan to the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
Mieke Vermeer and the editors of the catalogue of the exhibition in Utrecht and Braunschweig gave the painting the rather vague title The Steadfast Philosopher, thus creating ambiguity as to the theme. As far as it goes, the title is not incorrect, and reflects an understandably cautious solution to a long-standing problem. Over the years the picture has borne the names of various steadfast men with courtesans such as Laïs. The couple has even been identified as Joseph and Potiphar's Wife and most recently, in a newspaper article published by Véronique Prat, as Socrates Restraining Alcibiades.
Up till now, it seems, no one has been able to determine the precise subject of the painting. Some have suggested the story of Phryne and Xenocrates as recounted by Valerius Maximus. The most relevant passage of this Latin tale is as follows. "During a dinner party which lasted deep into the night, Phryne lay down next to Xenocrates, who had had a great deal to drink. She had bet several young people at the party that she could corrupt the philosopher's strict morality. Instead of refusing her with words or gestures, however, Xenocrates let her linger on his lap for as long as she wished. At length, having failed, she departed - not, however, without something to say. The young people mocked her because her beauty, grace and charm were no match for the old man's moral resolve, even after plenty of drink. When they demanded the sum that had been bet, Phryne retorted: 'I thought I was dealing with a man, not a statue' ."
