Aristotle Contemplating a Bust of Homer was painted in 1653, as a commission from a Sicilian nobleman named Don Antonio Ruffo, who did not request any particular subject.

[2] Don Antonio planned to commission companion pieces for Rembrandt's painting from the Italian painter Guercino.

[3] Kann had a huge collection of notable valuables, but after his death, Rembrandt's painting was sent to other American collectors.

[5] During the renovation of the Rembrandt wing of the Metropolitan Museum, the painting was re-titled in November 2013 as Aristotle with a Bust of Homer.

There has been confusion over the identity of the man in the painting because Don Antonio Ruffo did not specifically request a subject for his commission.

[6] It has been thought to be Albertus Magnus, Tasso, Ariosto, Virgil and seventeenth-century Dutch poet Pieter Cornelisz Hooft.

Schama presents a substantial argument that it was the ancient Greek painter Apelles who is depicted in Rembrandt's painting.

[7] In 1969, Julius Held argued that it was Aristotle in the painting by analyzing his facial features, his clothes and the objects he holds.

[6] According to Held, Aristotle is known for his long hair and beard, fancy jewelry and extravagant dresses, which can be seen in other paintings that featured him between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in Europe.

[3] The eyes usually hint at a person's inner thoughts, but the use of shadows implies that there is a mystery to what Aristotle is feeling at that moment.

This has variously been interpreted as the man of sound methodical science deferring to art, or as the wealthy and famous philosopher, wearing the jeweled belt given to him by Alexander the Great, envying the life of the poor blind bard.