Wolfgang Kemp, Die ehrbaren Täuscher. Rembrandt und Descartes im Jahre 1641

It was a remarkable coincidence that Descartes and Rembrandt were both in Amsterdam at the same time. There is no reliable evidence that they met or were familiar with each other's work. Wolfgang Kemp therefore does not undertake a historical-systematic reconstruction of possible relationships of influence, but rather plays through a large essay from changing perspectives to see what insights can be gained by comparing the problems and topics of the philosopher and the painter, in order to draw attention to aspects or topics that would remain unrecognized in an isolated examination. Paul Valery, who had already speculatively linked Descartes and Rembrandt in a diatribe, acts as mediator. Now the point of view is changed and the relationship between the two is examined from the perspective of art history.