Group of scientists & philosophers.

Drawing, brush with brown and white wash, 53 x 95 cm, laid down, unsigned (several tears around the edges, old repaired tears, lacune at lower right corner

Under a wooden frame (not studied outside frame).

Alluding to Raphael's "School of Athens", the composition groups eminent 16th and 17th-century philosophers, cartographers and scientists in an ancient setting. In the group at the right foregound we recognise Gerard Mercator and the figure at the far left may be identified as René Descartes.