The collections of the German Historical Museum

• Title: Voltaire (1694-1778)
• Artist: Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)
• Date: 1778
• Material/Technique: Marble
• Size: H 35 cm

The French philosopher Voltaire (his real name was François-Marie Arouet) had a strong influence on the political life in Europe during the time of the Enlightenment not only as a result of his publications but also because of his close contact to some of the reigning monarchs. Shortly before Voltaire died in 1778, the sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon made a number of busts (some of them also with a wig).