Portret van René Descartes by Franciscus van (I) Schooten

Portret van René Descartes 1644 - 1650

franciscusvanischooten

pencil drawn

aged paper

pencil sketch

old engraving style

personal sketchbook

journal

limited contrast and shading

pencil work

historical font

columned text

"Portret van René Descartes" is an etching by Franciscus van (I) Schooten dating back to 1644-1650. This portrait of the philosopher René Descartes depicts him in a three-quarter view with his hair long and slightly parted. Descartes, known for his contributions to philosophy and mathematics, is shown wearing a high-collared garment, which was popular during the period. The etching, framed by a circular border with an inscription, captures the likeness of a key figure of the scientific revolution in a small, yet detailed, form.