Philosopher Holding a Book and a Roll of Paper

This philosopher in a red cloak came to the Louvre in 1869 as a Ribera. He was part of the bequest of Louis La Caze, a Paris doctor who left the museum close to 600 paintings, and with him came three companions from the same series, each a ragged thinker with his books. All four kept the Spanish painter's name until 1908, when they were given to the young Luca Giordano, who had learned to paint in that manner in Naples.

Their earlier owners are known in part. They may have been in the collection of Domingo de Gortázar, a gentleman of Bilbao who died in 1743. They then belonged in Paris to his grandson José de Mazarredo, the Spanish admiral whom Goya painted.

Here the philosopher holds a roll of paper upright beside a heavy book, and a band lettered with an inscription hangs down from it. A quill and an inkpot wait in front of him.