Grands Hommes Français: Arouet de Voltaire (1817) 1817

This bronze medal portraying Arouet de Voltaire was made by François Augustin Caunois in 1817. The profile of Voltaire, encircled by his name, evokes the classical tradition of portrait medals commemorating important figures. Consider the laurel wreath absent here, a typical symbol of triumph and intellectual prowess. Its omission speaks volumes. The inscription on the reverse, detailing Voltaire’s birth and death, frames him not as a victor, but as a mortal man. This gesture reminds us of the cyclical nature of fame and memory, akin to the memento mori tradition where skulls remind us of the vanity of earthly achievements. This medal captures not only Voltaire’s likeness but also our collective, perhaps subconscious, acknowledgement of mortality. The image thus transcends its immediate subject, resonating with the enduring human concern with legacy and the ephemerality of life, constantly resurfacing in art across centuries.