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Descartes and Christina
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Descartes and Christina
Rene Descartes explains his ideas to the scholarly queen Christina of Sweden
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Media ID 4325081
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10025834
1650 Christina Descartes Explains Ideas Scholarly Sweden
EDITORS COMMENTS
This image depicts the renowned French philosopher Rene Descartes (1596-1650) engaged in an animated discussion with Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689) in the late 1640s or early 1650s. The scholarly monarch, known for her exceptional intellect and extensive knowledge in various fields, including mathematics and philosophy, is intently listening to Descartes as he elucidates his groundbreaking ideas. Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, is best known for his famous statement, "Cogito, ergo sum" or "I think, therefore I am." His philosophical works, such as "Meditations on First Philosophy," challenged traditional beliefs and laid the foundation for modern Western thought. Queen Christina, who ruled Sweden from 1632 to 1654, was a patron of the arts and sciences. She was fluent in several languages, including Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and French, and had a deep interest in philosophy, mathematics, and music. Her intellectual pursuits and progressive views on gender roles made her a trailblazer for women in the 17th century. The meeting between Descartes and Christina is believed to have taken place during the philosopher's visit to Stockholm in 1649. The exchange between the two intellectual giants represents a significant moment in the history of ideas, as the queen's support and engagement with Descartes' philosophy helped to further establish his reputation and influence in Europe. This evocative print, circa 1880, captures the essence of the intellectual exchange between Descartes and Queen Christina, offering a glimpse into the rich history of scientific and philosophical discourse during the 17th century.
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