Philosopher in Meditation

While the traditional title Philosopher in Meditation has to a large extent been responsible for this painting's popularity, this title is iconographically untenable. The painting shows none of the conspicuous attributes of scholarship or philosophy: books, globe, scientific instruments, etc. Also the presence of another figure involved in domestic tasks does not fit in with the solitude associated with study and meditation. Although a large book and a quill seem to be among the objects on the table in front of the main figure, they are summarily depicted and impossible to identify more precisely; also a Bible alone would not suffice to make the figure depicted a scholar or "philosopher." Staircases (whether spiral or not) also were not an attribute of philosophy in the early 17th century. Similar observations also argue against identifying the main figure as an "alchemist" although that subject would allow for other figures such as an assistant tending a fire. The objects depicted suggest a domestic setting while the improbable architecture speaks more for a history than a genre subject. Recent scholarship suggests that the painting depicts "Tobit and Anna waiting for their son Tobias".