Landscape with buildings, 1648-51 (oil on canvas)

In the foreground are three seated figures; this may be a representation of the trip to Athens by the Ancient Greek philosopher, Diogenes of Sinope (c. 410-323 BC); also known as Diogenes the Cynic, he was one of the founders of the school of philosophy known as 'Cynical'; he was considered a classical exemplar of honesty and rebellion against the falseness and artificiality of 'civilization'; he is usually dressed in just a rough cloak as in this picture; painting acquired for King Philip V of Spain at the Palacio de la Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia, in 1727;