Topic 3 - Voltaire by Jean-Antoine Houdon, 1781

what type of sculptor is Houdon?

neoclassical

what period of time did he work?

the Enlightenment

Neoclassicism is about…

heroism, duty and the public good

Johann Winckelmann states neoclassicism must avoid…

extreme passions and instead be about ‘noble restraint’

Houdon’s subjects often were…

inventors, politicians, philosophers, actors, musicians, and writers of the period

Houdon became famous for his incredible…

life-like accuracy of his figures

he chose figures with strong…

public vision and sense of public service rather than private gain

Houdon was especially admired for the way in which he carved the figures’…

eyes, a new sculpting method which involved cutting out the entire iris, then drilling a deeper hold for the pupil, leaving a small overhang of marble over the iris

his carving of the eyes gave a very …. aspect to the face

mobile

Voltaire was known for his sharply….

satirical writings and plays

commissioned and requested by…

his niece, Madame Denisthe scu

the sculpture shows Voltaire in his…

dressing gown, ready for bed, a very informal image

the ….. ….. gives the figure great gravitas and monumentality

voluminous drapery

what conveys mobile features and restless intellectual energy ?

slight turn of his head, twinkle in his eyes and play of a smile about his toothless mouth

given the heavy classical folds of the drapery that dominate the body, all our attention is drawn to…

tine hands and face

the hands grip the modestly-decorated low chair as though the figure is…

about to rise

the play of light over the folds of cloth mirrors that over the…

wrinkled lightness and agility of mind Houdon captures

in many ways it can be seen as a ….. portrait, but is also very ….. in its emphasis on detail, becoming timeless

classicising / naturalistic