Crowning of Voltaire

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This print depicts an actual event from near the end of Voltaire’s life. After being too ill to appear at the opening performance of his final play, Irène , the 84-year-old author recovered enough to attend the production a few days later. As depicted here, after the play the lead actresses ceremoniously crowned a bust of Voltaire with a laurel wreath, lavished it with kisses, and improvised eulogistic verses in his honor. Voltaire appears in a box at the upper left in his most recognizable profile view, bowing in response to the adulation.

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