Your complimentary articles

You’ve read all of your complimentary articles for this month. To have complete access to the thousands of philosophy articles on this site, please

If you are a subscriber please sign in to your account.

To buy or renew a subscription please visit Subscriptions.

If you are a print subscriber you can contact us to create an online account.

Books

The Philosopher, The Priest, & The Painter by Steve Nadler

Massimo Pigliucci studies a portrait of Descartes.

I like philosophy, and I like history. I also like art. So it was with much anticipation that I looked forward to Steven Nadler’s book on the iconic portrait of (allegedly) René Descartes (1596-1650), reproduced here, which Wikipedia says is ‘after Frans Hals’ and dates to 1648. It’s found on the third floor of the Richelieu Wing at the Louvre, and though it doesn’t attract the crowds who go see the Mona Lisa, it’s a must-stop for anyone interested in philosophy. Thing is, experts are no longer sure that the painting, once owned by the Duke of Orléans and by Louis XVI, is indeed by Hals, one of the most successful portrait artists of the time.

…