Diogenes

The Greek philosopher Diogenes is depicted here with a plucked chicken. This was his mocking reaction to Plato’s definition of man as a featherless biped. Ugo da Carpi made this influential woodcut after a design by the painter Parmigianino just before Heemskerck arrived in Rome. Heemskerck must have seen this print and, years later, was inspired by the dynamic figure in his swirling drapery when composing his Strong Men.