Statues - Hither & Thither

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René Descartes

La Haye en Touraine (at present Descartes 1596 - Stockholm 1650
French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic
(Wikipedia)

Alfred-Emilien comte de Nieuwerkerke
1849

Description

Cast iron statue. The statue, inaugurated 29 September 1849, is a copy of the bronze statue in The Hague.
NB also on the town's information sign the name of the sculptor is spelled erroneously "Count Alfred of Nieuwerke".

The town was named La Haye-en-Touraine until 1802, when is was renamed La Haye-Descartes. When the town was joined with Balesmes the name of the combined commune became simply Descartes.

Descartes is called the "town of the three René's" since there were three famous citizens named René. All three of them have a monument in the town:

René Descartes (1596-1650).
René Boylesve (1867-1926).
René de Buxeuil (1881-1959).

Inscription(s)

RENATO DESCARTES,
in hac urbe nato
( Ann: MDXCVI )
Cives Hagæ Turonum
Rodolphusque de Croy,
præfecto urbis J. Robin,
Hoc monumentum erexerunt
Anno MDCCCXLIX

Signed: F.. Nieuwerke F Tournay fudit

Sculptor

Graaf Alfred Emile O'Hara comte de Nieuwerkerke (Parijs 1811-Gattaiola 1892), beeldhouwer (RKDArtists).

Locatie (N 46°58'25" - E 0°41'54") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: frce035; Photograph: 30 August 2011
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt