The Facial Expression of Epicurus

I agree. Let me throw these into the mix.

Quote from Kalosyni

I often wish that the imagery of Epicurus had more "warmth"

We felt the same way.

I have to defer to the recommendation of Diogenes of Oinoanda who wrote that "the statues of the gods should be made genial and smiling, so that we may smile back at them, rather than be afraid of them."

I just realized that I don't think my preferred description is in the poll options. I would opt for "serious" and would see that as having a different connotation from "stern" or "disapproving." I generally see Epicurus as happy and upbeat, but if one single image had to be preserved for all time, it would probably be a look of seriousness at confronting what a mess the standard philosophers and religions had made of the world, and an earnest desire to change it.

I doubt that any one image can capture anything close to "the whole of the man." I use mostly the three below (in no particular order), depending on my mood or intuition of the moment:

Interesting: Heraclitus was known as the weeping philosopher (grieving the state of the world), while Democritus was known as the laughing philosopher (with some argument over whether that was a mocking laughter at the state of the world, or – my preferred interpretation – trying to inject some cheer into the world, since cheerfulness was a main virtue for Democritus).

Perhaps, for Epicurus, a visage that captures at once his sadness at “what a mess the standard philosophers and religions had made of the world;” his sincere (serious) determination to right those wrongs as best he can, out of compassion for humanity; and a bit of a good-humored smile and twinkle in the eyes that reflect that compassion and kindness. At least, that’s the way I like to see it. And in that vein, I think that Genevra Catalano’s (Nate’s wife’s) rendering of the elder Epicurus (on the right of the three renderings I posted above) captures all of that the best. (The one on the left is by Allesandro Tomassi, and I posted it before with attribution; it reminds me of a person wise beyond his years that I briefly knew.)

Note: Catalano’s "Epicurus Dines" (also available on Etsy) shows a more pensive Epicurus.

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Democritus:

“Best is for a person to live a cheerful life as little distressed as possible.”

“A life without festivity is a long road without an inn.”

“cheerfulness”: Democritus’ Greek word was euthumia, which could also mean tranquility and contentment (cheerfulness is the predominant translation). Cheerfulness becomes a practice and a discipline that is seldom effortless.

Epicure in Charcoal by splatteredvenue (2007)

Epicure Part 2 by splatteredvenue (2007)

Epicurus (wrongly titled Plato) by Rubens in 1638 (BM Asset 876575001)

Epicurus & Seneca by Guia do Estudante

Epicurus by Evi Sarantea (2012)

Epicurus by fogbird

Epicurus by Gijs Kast Huijgen

Epicurus By Granger

Epicurus by Lucy Calder

Epicurus by Martin Rowson

Epicurus by YouriAlden (2013)

Epicurus Coloring Book (?)

Epicurus from Ward and Lock's Illustrated History of the World (1882)

Epicurus Greek Philosopher Date by Mary Evans (2018)

Epicurus Laughing by SimoneDebuvua

Epicurus New Yorker Caricature

Epicurus NFT by Greek Philosophers Club

Epicurus Vector Sketch Portrait by Ivona17

Epicurus, Pemikir Kebahagiaan yang Tak Bisa Dibiarkan (indonesian)

Thinker Epicurus in Tamil

Eikadistes

Just for curiosity, is the red fruit in "Epicurus Dines" pomegranate (perhaps) or tomatoes or ... ?

Tomatoes would be anachronistic, but -- as a poet of sorts -- I completely affirm anachronisms as a valid and vital part of artistic license! What is important is what the images (and, in poetry, also rhythms and word-sounds) evoke.

Quote from Pacatus

Eikadistes

Just for curiosity, is the red fruit in "Epicurus Dines" pomegranate (perhaps) or tomatoes or ... ?

Tomatoes would be anachronistic, but -- as a poet of sorts -- I completely affirm anachronisms as a valid and vital part of artistic license! What is important is what the images (and, in poetry, also rhythms and word-sounds) evoke.

I recall Gen mentioning to me that she leaves it up to the observer. It is definitely not tomatoes, and I'm glad you brought that up, because I only learned as an adult that tomatoes were not introduced to Europe until 1521.

It might be useful to remember all the bearded Epicurus images are based on probably 2, maybe 3, statues and maybe a ring or two(?) at most from the ancient world.

I'm disregarding the School of Athens one traditionally with the wreath and the bald one seen on various medieval or Renaissance images.

The modern ones are all jazz riffs on that ancient image.

Quote from Don

The modern ones are all jazz riffs on that ancient image.

And those few ancient images may well have been "riffs" themselves?

Quote from Pacatus

And those few ancient images may well have been "riffs" themselves?

Good point. Roman copies of Greek originals.

My impression from the visit at the Archaeological Institute in Goettingen is that the Roman copies were usually accurate. In case of the restored statue of Epicurus from the remains of two copies, even the folds of the clothing match. There are multiple copies of the same lost originals.