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René Descartes

(1596-1650), French philosopher and mathematician

Sitter in 10 portraits

Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below

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René Descartes

by Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D13134

René Descartes

after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D28638

René Descartes

by Nicolas de Larmessin
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D28641

René Descartes

after Unknown artist
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D28642

René Descartes

by Franciscus van Schooten
line engraving, 1644
NPG D28636

René Descartes

by Jacques Lubin, after Frans Hals
line engraving, late 17th century (1649)
NPG D28637

René Descartes

after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D28639

René Descartes

after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D28640

René Descartes

by Lucien Butavand, after Frans Hals
line engraving, 1835
NPG D3646

René Descartes

by Duhamel, published by Esnauts et Rapilly
line engraving, published circa 1774-1784
NPG D15588

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France

Media

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René Descartes

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