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Collections

Jean-Antoine Houdon
Seated Voltairecirca 1779-before 1828

Not on view
Plaster or stone sculpture of a seated elderly man in voluminous robes, his gaunt face turned toward the viewer, one hand resting on books, mounted on a marble plinth
Plaster sculpture maquette seen from behind, a standing robed figure with draped fabric over the shoulders, rough unfinished back surface revealing textured plaster work, with a decorative column element at lower left.
Marble sculpture of an elderly seated male figure in robes and skullcap, turned in three-quarter profile, holding an open book on his lap; finely carved drapery and deeply lined facial features; seated on a fluted pedestal base.
Plaster or marble sculpture of an elderly man seated in profile on a neoclassical chair, draped in flowing robes, hands resting in lap, with detailed carved drapery across the chair front.
Gelatin silver photograph of a terracotta or plaster bust, three-quarter profile view of an elderly man with deeply carved wrinkles, long wavy hair, and draped robes, against a dark background.
Marble portrait bust of an elderly man in three-quarter view, wearing a loosely draped cloth cap and robe, with deeply carved wrinkles and finely detailed facial features against a dark background.
Artist or Maker
Jean-Antoine Houdon
France, Versailles, 1741-1828
Title
Seated Voltaire
Date Made
circa 1779-before 1828
Medium
Plaster with metal supports, traces of dark greenish- blue paint
Dimensions
Overall: 54 × 28 × 37 in. (137.16 × 71.12 × 93.98 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of The Ahmanson Foundation
Accession Number
M.2004.5
Classification
Sculpture
Collecting Area
European Painting and Sculpture
Provenance

Melchior, marquis de Polignac (1880–1950), Château Pommery (near Rheims). (Sale, Monaco, Sotheby’s, Bel Ameublement, 21 Feb. 1988, lot 620, to); [Wildenstein & Co., Inc., New York, sold 2004 to]; LACMA.

Selected Bibliography
  • Lehmbeck, Leah, editor. Gifts of European Art from The Ahmanson Foundation. Vol. 2, French Painting and Sculpture. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2019.