This fine mid-19th-century oil painting by Swedish artist Alida Rabe (1825-1870) depicts a philosopher in contemplation. Rabe was a studious painter of portraits, religious subjects, and history.With his right hand pressed against a gaunt cheek, his distant expression is one of introspective cogitation. Given the attire, it’s likely to be a copy of an older work. An inscription on the reverse explains that it was given to the artist’s half-uncle, the theologian Carl Olbers (1819-1892).“Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.” René Descartes. Born in Västra Götaland County, Sweden, Rabe undertook her early tuition in Stockholm before heading to Düsseldorf, which was considered one of Europe’s foremost artistic environments. She was 19 when undertaking this trip and it’s unclear whether she travelled alone. It’s conceivable that she followed a similar path to Sophie Ribbing who enrolled at the Düsseldorf Academy around the same time. She’s known to ...