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Voltaire
1778
Medium
bronze
Measurements
44.7 × 20.7 × 21.7 cm (overall)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1939
Gallery location
17th to 18th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
In order to create this likeness of the renowned philosopher, poet, dramatist and historian Voltaire, Jean-Antoine Houdon worked from life, obtaining numerous sittings from Voltaire between February 1778 and the writer’s death in May that year. Voltaire proved to be one of Houdon’s most popular subjects. The sculptor developed several variants of his conception of the philosopher and continued to produce them long after Voltaire’s death.
Artwork Details
Inscription
incised (diagonally) in left side c.: · HOUDON · 1778 ·
painted in gold on base c.l.: 1098
painted in gold on base u.c.: VOLTAIRE
painted in gold on base l.c.: J. A. Houdon
Accession Number
4427-D3
Department
International Sculpture
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited