What you are looking at
The philosopher Aristotle, in a broad black hat and wide white sleeves, rests his hand on a marble bust of the poet Homer, wearing a gold chain.
Why it is famous
Rembrandt painted it in 1653 for a Sicilian collector, Antonio Ruffo. When the Met bought it at auction in 1961, it was the highest price ever paid for a painting at the time.
How big is Aristotle with a Bust of Homer?
Aristotle with a Bust of Homer measures 143.5 × 136.5 cm (56.5 × 53.7 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 5 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is at the Met in New York.
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More by Rembrandt
Also at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Frequently asked questions
Who painted Aristotle with a Bust of Homer?
Rembrandt painted Aristotle with a Bust of Homer in 1653.
Where is Aristotle with a Bust of Homer?
Aristotle with a Bust of Homer is in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, United States. (Gallery 616.)
How big is Aristotle with a Bust of Homer?
143.5 × 136.5 cm (56.5 × 53.7 in). Its surface is about 5 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is Aristotle with a Bust of Homer made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: The Met, "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer" (61.198); Wikidata Q2404992; Wikipedia, "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.