Bust of Voltaire

Description Provenance Inscription Credit

Description Portraits of the writer Voltaire were very popular in the 18th century. Thomire was Houdon's pupil, and based his portrait sculptures of Voltaire on sketches made by his teacher. This small version may have been a model for version in bronze. This modeled terracotta bust is on an alabaster base.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] On left shoulder: THOMIRE; [Date] On left shoulder: 1790

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters

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Creator

Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751-1843) (Sculptor)

Period

1790

Medium

terracotta, alabaster
(Sculpture)

Accession Number

27.362

Measurements

Bust only H: 5 7/8 × W: 4 7/8 × D: 3 15/16 in. (15 × 12.4 × 10 cm); H with both bases: 8 11/16 in. (22.1 cm); H with terra cotta base only: 7 5/16 in. (18.5 cm)

Geographies

France (Place of Origin)

Location Within Museum

Not On View