Mark Schuler: Zeno of Citium

Artist: Mark Schuler
1951 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 9.125 by 11 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

In 342 B.C., Cyprus was a warm, beckoning island in the languid blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and many Greeks and Phoenicians migrated to its sunny shores. Some worked in the copper mines. Others set up small shops or labored in the busy seaports. It was about this time that Zeno of Citium, founder of the Stoic philosophy, was born. It's speculated he may have been a Phoenician, but whatever his ancestry, his thirst for knowledge led him to Athens. There he attended one philosophical school after another. Finally, he opened his own at the "Painted Porch" (Stoa Poecile), which led his followers to be called Stoics and his school the Porch. He taught that virtue is necessarily good, and that most things in life are morally indifferent. For example, he claimed most objects of desire, such as goods and honors, are at best only relatively good. Perhaps this philosophy was developed as a result of the Cynics, whose teachings he avidly studied. Zeno wrote eighteen books, including the anarchical Republic. Although his works have not survived the centuries, it is a fact that Zeno divided his philosophy into logic, physics and ethics. He taught his pupils the first two must serve the last. He based his stern ethical system on the scientific and metaphysical teachings of Heraclitus, Aristotle and others. From these elements he attempted to create a consistent philosophy. As a very old man Zeno died by his own hand.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Cyprus Europa stamp featured in the 1980 Portraits of Greatness collection.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06190

US$ Price: $950.00

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