Voltaire in a Field

It may be hard to believe, but this famous sculpture of Voltaire by the esteemed artist Jean-Antoine Houdon was found tossed in  a cow pasture.  A pasture just outside Monticello no less!

When Houdon sculpted Voltaire in 1778 the racy philosopher had just returned to Paris after another lengthy exile.  It would turn out to be a quite timely modeling since Voltaire expired a mere two months afterward.  The finished sculpture received the highest of praise for its realism and for capturing the essence of Voltaire.  I imagine that sly, smug little smile graced Voltaire's lips plenty of times.  Due to the sculpture's popularity, Houdon experimented with recreating it in different mediums and styles; adding Voltaire's famous wig to the original's nude ancient Roman style.

One of these Voltaire busts found itself in Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello.  The bust was in the the entrance hall to greet guests as they entered the house.  After Jefferson's death Monticello, which was never fully finished, fell into disrepair.  The home's next owner James Barlcay is rumored to be the one whom we can blame for placing Voltaire portraits in field.  Rumor has it that Barclay, a rather unEnlightened individual born in the 19th century, saw the bust, declared Voltaire to be an "antichrist" and flung it into the field.  I'm sure Voltaire would be flattered to know he still has the ability to ruffle feathers fifty years after his death.

How Did You Wake Up This Morning?

Louis XV greets the morning at his Levée

Voltaire struggles into his pants during his Levée

The Levée was a formal celebration ceremony of a royal's rising from bed in the morning.  If you think the concept sounds silly you are not alone.  Voltaire is great agreement with you.  When he had his portrait done in the early 1760s by Jean Huber, Voltaire chose to be portrayed at his levée, that is dictating to his secretary as he pulls on his breeches in the morning. 

The portrait was not only poking fun himself but mostly criticizing those who took themselves too seriously.  Even the dog in the painting is surprised by Voltaire's lack of modesty.  But that was Voltaire; always giving you the naked truth.

The Fuss About Voltaire

Love that smirk! It's hard to summarize someone as full as personality and as controversial as Voltaire. Briefly, Voltaire was the pen-name of François-Marie Arouet, a Parisian who was causing trouble as soon as he exited the womb. His father was determined to make him a lawyer, but although Voltaire had the fighting spirit, he craved to express it with the pen, outside the courtroom. Monsieur was very critical of the French judicial system as well as religion. It was his words which got Voltaire in trouble not only with his parents but also with the government, landing him in the Bastille and then later putting him in exile in England among other places. This only fired up the philosopher more and he only wrote more, this time with his new found anglophilia, discussing how the British constitutional monarchy was much more successful than the French absolute monarchy; oh if only they had listened! Voltaire was sassy to the very end. Dying in 1778, his last words were to a priest attempting to have him renounce his atheist ways, "For God's sake, let me die in peace." Love him or hate him, I think we could all use a modern Volatire right now!

But the best means of celebrating or studying Voltaire would probably be with his own words. After all, he had no problem can speaking for himself!

Voltaire on...

Freedom of Speech
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”

Stupidity
“Common sense is not so common.”

Marriage
"Marriage is the only adventure open to the cowardly."
"Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law."

Being Snarky
"A witty saying proves nothing."

War
“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets”

Responsibility
“No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.”
“The longer we dwell on our misfortunes the greater is their power to harm us”

The Fairer Sex
"I hate women because they always know where things are."

Religion
“Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd, and bloody religion that has ever infected the world”
"Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men."

The Opposition
"I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it."