Also from my recent reading, this portrait by Jean Huber, titled Voltaire's Morning, was brought to my attention:
Catherine the Great--remember, she was a Voltaire fangirl and correspondent who never got to meet him in person--had in her collection, currently in the Hermitage Museum:
Jean Huber's series of intimate paintings of Voltaire engaged in everyday activities at his estate of Ferney. By Catherine's own account, she "burst out laughing" when she saw Huber’s portrayal of Voltaire rising from bed, getting dressed, and dictating a letter all at the same time. To see the lord of Ferney furiously multitasking reminded her that "the vivacity of his character and the impatience of his imagination give him no time to do one thing at once."
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Voltaire portrait
Date: 2021-12-07 06:31 pm (UTC)Catherine the Great--remember, she was a Voltaire fangirl and correspondent who never got to meet him in person--had in her collection, currently in the Hermitage Museum:
Jean Huber's series of intimate paintings of Voltaire engaged in everyday activities at his estate of Ferney. By Catherine's own account, she "burst out laughing" when she saw Huber’s portrayal of Voltaire rising from bed, getting dressed, and dictating a letter all at the same time. To see the lord of Ferney furiously multitasking reminded her that "the vivacity of his character and the impatience of his imagination give him no time to do one thing at once."
I admit, I laughed too. I had to share this.