Rene Descartes

Rene Descartes (1596-1650) was painted by Hals (probably on the recommendation of the Haarlem priest Augustijn Bloemaert) immediately before his departure to Stockholm. Jonas Suyderhoef's engraving, which was made shortly afterward, gives the date of Descartes death. The famous French philosopher had taken up residence in Holland in 1628. He lived in Franeker, Leiden, Utrecht, and Amsterdam.