Voltaire 

Curator: Immediately, the thing that strikes me is that sly, almost mischievous expression. The deep lines around the eyes, that slight upturn of the lips – it conveys so much personality. Editor: This captivating portrait bust is of Voltaire, crafted from marble by Jean-Antoine Houdon. It's currently held here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What do you read in those lines, those "signs", that initial impression? Curator: It's an intellectual arrogance, perhaps? A sense of being in on a joke that we aren't privy to. But also, warmth. It is such an incredible feat. The way that marble captures the aging skin, the almost knowing smile…he clearly understands the weight and reach of the subject in visual culture. Editor: Houdon’s ability to render the textures of skin, the nuances of expression in a rigid material like marble is truly astonishing, isn't it? Looking at the composition and the fall of light, the emphasis seems entirely on the face. A choice that reflects the value put on enlightenment rationality. Curator: I wonder about the intended impact of its display? The head as the ultimate site of knowledge… and perhaps humor. To showcase the intellect but also the character of this figure. It is as though Houdon sought not just to capture likeness, but legacy. Editor: And to establish that legacy in line with neoclassicism. Its restraint speaks to that movement, and the renewed interest in the art of antiquity. The bust format itself evokes those classical precedents. I suppose the blank expression balances on reason but leans into personality. It seems he allowed that humor to radiate out through those textures of skin and around the expressive eyes, creating a subtle dynamic and preventing coldness. Curator: Perhaps Voltaire recognized that too—this work seems a careful construction of immortality, one crafted with a sly understanding between artist and subject. Editor: The texture truly pulls it all together into a wonderful package. Well, I for one am grateful that Houdon so masterfully preserved a bit of Voltaire's "wink" for posterity! Curator: Absolutely. It is a work of art, yes, but also a clever dance through cultural memory and persona.