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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