OIL PAINTING: Diogenes, 1882
In Waterhouse's painting, Diogenes, the ancient ascetic philosopher who lived in a tub and carried a lantern, looking for an honest man, provides a striking contrast to the attractive young women and their perfectly blooming flowers. According to Angus Trumble, this painting closes the stage in his career when "the meticulous archaeological
techniques of Lawrence Alma-Tadema" influenced the artist. "The treatment of marble in Diogenes, and the faithful reconstruction of the Doric temple architecture in the background (Diogenes' tub was according to tradition borrowed from the Temple of the Mother of the Gods), even the peculiarly Japanese-looking sun-shades, as well as numerous details of costume, were all executed with great care. Moreover, the spatial arrangements, a sunken ledge below street-level beside a flight of steps, as well as the curiosity
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