HOUDON, Jean-Antoine
(b. 1741, Versailles, d. 1828, Paris)

Voltaire Seated

1781
Marble, height 165 cm
Comédie Française, Paris

The statue of Voltaire - with the Diana, one of Houdon's finest works - was executed at the request of Madame Denis, Voltaire's niece, who gave one marble version to the Comédie Française. A second marble copy was commissioned from the artist by Catherine II. There is also a terracotta version in the Musée Fabre, Montpellier.

Houdon's sculpture depicts the great Enlightenment figure as a philosopher.




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