Voltaire Seated

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 Com�die Fran�aise. A second marble copy was commissioned from the artist by Catherine II. There is also a terracotta version in the Mus�e Fabre, Montpellier.

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