Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Book after book after book has been written about Descartes. But of the woman who knew him, Helena Jans, almost nothing is known. I have come across only three instances of her name in the archive – once in Deventer, and twice more in Leiden.
1.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Deventer, 1635
2.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Notary record, Leiden, May 1644.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Helena’s name, detail.
In August 1644, Helena’s name appears once more, this time in an inventory of her effects.
3.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Inventaris van de oude notariële archieven van Leiden 1564–1811’, inv.no. 622, Folio 67
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Detail – Helena’s name is just discernible.
Helena Jans. It’s like skimming a stone, that touches the water once, twice, three times – then sinks without trace.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
