Voltaire schrijft op de muur van zijn cel in de Bastille 1820 - 1833

Curator: Here we have an engraving by Charles Abraham Chasselat, made between 1820 and 1833. The piece, entitled "Voltaire schrijft op de muur van zijn cel in de Bastille," is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: It's striking how the artist captures the scene’s starkness. The sharp lines create an almost claustrophobic feeling, amplified by the minimal setting. You can feel the isolation radiating from the figure. Curator: Indeed. Note how the composition focuses almost entirely on the interplay of lines and the limited tonal range to define space. The bed occupies much of the background, emphasizing the confinement, while Voltaire, the subject, seems boxed into that corner by the light source. Editor: And the light is so symbolic! It focuses on Voltaire’s face and what he's writing—a beacon of intellectual activity against the dark walls of oppression. Writing on a wall… isn’t that such a potent image of resistance and claiming one's narrative? Curator: Yes, but the line and form here provide a reading in more than one direction. Look at how his elegant attire sharply contrasts with the squalor. This visual tension speaks volumes about the artist's intention to represent both the dignity and degradation in Voltaire’s experience. Note also how the composition pushes him toward the right and into the only patch of brightness. Editor: I agree; it’s compelling how he seems actively choosing to carve words into the stone, a deliberate act of creation despite being physically bound. To me, this resonates powerfully, recalling so many historical narratives of imprisonment and creative expression. The symbol of words set in stone is deeply effective! Curator: Absolutely, it reflects the values of Romanticism that Chasselat embraced. Through composition and tonality, he underscores the gravity of Voltaire’s situation while elevating him intellectually. Editor: So, ultimately, we're left with an enduring emblem of defiant intellect in the face of tyranny. Curator: Precisely, it is Chasselat’s formal articulation of this struggle that stays with us long after viewing this work.