# Democritus and Heraclitus

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/coornhert-dirck-volkertsz-rcc62e7c505eac5/democritus-and-heraclitus-r3a531066de9391>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [COORNHERT, Dirck Volkertsz.](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/coornhert-dirck-volkertsz-rcc62e7c505eac5>)
- Date: 1551-1600
- Technique: Engraving

## Commentary

This engraving by the Haarlem humanist was made after Maerten van Heemskerck. In the print, the two philosophers stand in a &#39;world landscape&#39; with, between them, a translucent orb draped with a foolscap. At top centre, flanked by putti holding hourglasses and resting on skulls, a plaque bears the legend REMPUS RIDENDI TEMPUS FLENDI \(A time to laugh and a time to weep\). Democritus \(c. 460 - c. 370 B.C.\) and Heraclitus \(c. 540 - c. 475 B.C.\) are known as the &#39;laughing and crying philosophers.&#39;

## Related artworks

- [Return of the Prodigal Son](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/coornhert-dirck-volkertsz-rcc62e7c505eac5/return-of-the-prodigal-son-r0432817f2dc509>)
- [The Crucifixion of Christ](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/coornhert-dirck-volkertsz-rcc62e7c505eac5/the-crucifixion-of-christ-r6d7f2bff0af3f3>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)