Voltaire's huis te Ferney standbeeld van Rousseau te Genève before 1896

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print, titled "Voltaire's house in Ferney, statue of Rousseau in Geneva," sometime in the 19th century. This print connects the spaces inhabited by two giants of the enlightenment, Voltaire and Rousseau, in a way that offers a subtle commentary on the politics of imagery. The placement of Voltaire's home above Rousseau's statue invites a comparison between private life and public legacy. Both men were philosophers who questioned established norms, but Rousseau is more closely associated with ideas of popular sovereignty and revolution. By depicting his statue in a public square, Last emphasizes Rousseau's enduring influence on civic life. This work was made in the Netherlands. Its historical context is tied to the rise of nation-states and the search for cultural heroes. Understanding this print requires knowledge of the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the complex relationship between the Netherlands and France in the 19th century. Researching the history of public monuments and the reception of Voltaire and Rousseau in different national contexts would further illuminate the meaning of this work.