Voltaire (1770) 1770

Curator: Ah, here we have G.C. Waechter’s "Voltaire," dating back to 1770. It’s struck in metal, presenting us with a portrait on one side and an allegorical scene on the other. Editor: The cool stillness of the metal has me a little chilled; that sharp profile makes me think of cutting wit... but that wig is just delightful. What an artifact of artifice. Curator: Well, yes, the portrait certainly captures that Enlightenment intellectual spirit – sharp, observant. But it’s interesting to think about the metal itself. Presumably copper, if it has this deep patina? Editor: Probably copper or bronze, accessible and durable... struck into form, reproduced en masse... a symbol circulated widely. This piece serves a memorializing function for Voltaire but it’s not unique to this individual. Many people could possess their own token of enlightenment thinking. Curator: Precisely. It's a very accessible way to hold history. Do you suppose Waechter consciously considered this democratizing effect? Editor: Hard to say for sure what was in the artisan’s heart... But the act of reproducing the likeness via this method intrinsically spreads the figure more broadly. I notice how even the reverse is also allegorical and instructional! Curator: So true – the image on the flip side really shows off the values championed by Voltaire. All those emblems hinting at philosophical triumphs… But doesn't it all feel a bit staged, as opposed to an intimate engagement with his thoughts? Editor: Maybe, but perhaps it served to spark conversations and further learning amongst its owners. This work sits at an intriguing intersection of high ideals and tangible, circulated form. Not cold after all, when seen that way, just very well considered. Curator: And there’s a beautiful circularity to it all—an idea literally going around in pockets, a quiet revolution, cast in enduring metal. It makes me wonder: What materials will embody our heroes in the future? Editor: A very intriguing question, given our current technological landscape. But thinking on "Voltaire," I'm reminded of the human element at every step, not just in the subject, but in the thoughtful application of the means of production, as well.