Anthony Van Dyck, Lucas Van Uffel

Anthony van Dyck, Lucas van Uffel, illustrates a man whom appears to be distinguished as an intelligent artistic person. Although, it was compared to another portrait of the same ‘sitter’ but instead of signifying intelligence the man is seen to be overlooking the sailing of ships off a “Mediterranean coast”. The intelligence is displayed by the objects positioned around the merchant ( the globe, worn out book also argued to be a recorde, and the pages). Rembrandt van Rijn, Aristotle with a Bust of Homer, represents the “gaining of knowledge”. This is seen by his respect for Homer. His hand also shows the gaining of knowledge, it can be see as he's blessing the bust. In addition, his attachment to the material items painted into the frame.
Anthony’s painting connects to the audience meanwhile Rembrandt is based on the connection of material items. Anthony van Dyck’s, Lucas van Uffel, is a portrait of a “wealthy Flemish merchant.” In the portrait the man is grasping a compass used for math which can signify intelligence.
The merchant as stated before is holding a math compass but seems to disregard it as he looks away from the table displaying a distraction occurred. The head of stone or marble reveals the merchants interest in art. The papers painted show his eagerness to learn. The merchant is painted in a weird position but would explain why he is facing outward and not toward the table. The chair and his legs are painted to look as if he is getting up. Although, the legs are not that distinct so he could be standing, but from the way his legs are, and how he is looking outward towards the viewers it can be depicted that a person is coming into the merchants room. The placement of his hand shows either he’s pushing himself up off the chair or pushing the chair back to go greet the person. In addition, in the background papers are shown, a globe that doesn't look like the typical world map globe and an ‘antique’ head. The items spotted on the table lack the detail that is seen with the detail given for the merchant. The background makes it look like he’s in a cave. The brown substance looks like a group of rocks than an actual curtain. Looking closer at the pages, one page has write and he other has a drawing. Thus pushing the idea that the ‘sitter’ was interested in learning and; art. The head in this portrait is
similar to the head painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in his Aristotle with a Bust of Homer. Lucas van Uffel, the merchant in the painting is staring right back at the audience.
Not particularly staring at a person but staring onwards (out) than towards his desk therefore if that was the case then only his back would be displayed to the viewer. The merchant is displayed as smart and his eyes portray his impatience. He peers out towards the viewers as if he is confused as to why this person is distracting him from his work. His eyes hold a sense of urgency when looking out towards the viewers. The way his hand on the chair looks as if his pointer finger is tapping on the wood also conveys his
impatience. The merchant’s body is proportioned weird. It may be the clothes that are located on his body that give it that effect but his body compared to his head is huge. In addition, note the fact that his hands look to be as big as his head. However in Rembrandt’s painting Aristotle's body is filled with more clothing showing no define features of the body. Aristotle looks to be just a blob placed on a canvas with blurry features to show that he is a man. The objects around him don’t have that layer on layer of paint effect. From his shoulders down the paint looks to be smoothly placed on while the top part of the painting looks rough and bumpy. Rembrandt van Rijn, Aristotle with a Bust of Homer, is of a famous philosopher, Aristotle. Aristotle is placing his hand delicately on the head of Homer. His hand is seen to be touching the head but not fully as if he was cupping the bust displaying respect Aristotle has for the bust of Homer. Homer by the look in Aristotle eyes looks to be an idol of some sort. His expression idolized this man from the Iliad and Odyssey books. The chain placed along his chest area signifies wealth and the medallion is stated to represent Alexander the Great, who was tutored by Aristotle. One hand holds the item Aristotle admires/looks up to and the other hand placed on his hip shows his wealth. The robe has significant detail which could be signify wealth like the chain placed across his chest does. The curves/draping can be seen with the dipping of the arm. Aristotle’s hand is clearly defined which also displays an importance in the painting. The jewelry and medal placed on his body are painted with enough detail to push towards the idea of wealth. Although, the bust of Homer is not that detailed it does provide an important part in the painting. Especially around the face area, the paint is a shadow effect therefore explaining the blurriness of the portrait. The painting is layer upon layer of paint to give distinct features in the painting. The paint can be clearly seen as if each layer was dabbed on to create a body and face. Aristotle doesn't look outwards like Anthony’s painting, Lucas van Uffel. Aristotle is looking at the bust of Homer as if try to form some kind of connection with a marble or stone head. This is seen by the facial expression on Aristotle. His face has a long look to it as if Aristotle is remembering something bad or upsetting. The dark background conveys something bad is happening, sadness, night time, etc. In the viewer’s eyes, it can be seen as Aristotle appears to be upset and tired. The shadowing affect symbolizes what is happening in Aristotle’s mind showing that he as a philosopher is contemplating. It is said, “the philosopher contemplates material rewards as opposed to spiritual values.” Aristotle shows this by touching the chain and the bust of Homer. Although, his face displays emotion (spiritual value) he has for Homer. Looking closer at each painting, Anthony’s painting is a lighter atmosphere and provides a lot of detail. In Rembrandt’s painting the background is dark and gloomy. The features and clothing of the man in the portrait is almost blurred out into the background of dark colors. His features are still distinguishable but as stated before it’s blurry. Both paintings have the other objects closely placed together. Aristotle with a Bust of Homer has more space place between the two main objects in the painting than in Lucas van Uffel painting. Different techniques were used on the portrait even thought both are painted with oil. The paint in this portrait is smoothly painted on. The merchant face is clearly defined (bags under his eyes). Obviously, the sitter of each portrait is going to take up majority of the space on the canvas therefore drawing attention to themselves than the other objects painted around them. The other objects are a lot small that the main person. Anthony draws the viewers attention to the merchant the rest are minor details to show what he is doing and his interests in life. Rembrandt’s draws the viewers attention to the main person which is Aristotle to show him contemplating between two items.
Both these paintings are of men shown in two different ways. Rembrandt’s, Aristotle with a Bust of Homer, shows Aristotle as a materialistic man meanwhile Anthony’s, Lucas van Uffel, shows the merchant as a man of art and intrigued by the concept of learning. The merchant’s personality comes off as an impatient man who only stands for actual facts than words of another being. On the contrary, Aristotle is seen with a personality of longing and determination to achieve what he believes is important.