Standing on a pair of circular naturalistic bases, in turn raised upon red marble square pedestals, and then acanthus-cast plinth cases, these excellent sculptures are cast in fine patinated bronze, and depict the philosophers of the Enlightenment: Voltaire and Rousseau. Rousseau is of course famous for his discourses on social justice, inequality, and the like, while Voltaire is similarly famous for his prolific writing, and advocacy for tolerance, freedom, and civil liberties.
These sculptures are made in the model of works by Joseph Rosset, an artist active in the 18th century, who worked with his sons Jacques-Joseph Rosset and François-Marie Rosset, and whose sculptures of Voltaire and Rousseau are displayed across in the world in locations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Museum in Stockholm, and The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
Rousseau stands with a scroll in his right hand and a cane in his left. He is shown wearing a shirt with frills, waistcoat, and frock coat. Voltaire is depicted with his left hand tucked in his pocket, and his right holding a thin cane, and is shown similarly dressed to Rousseau, only he wears a shoulder-length wig. The works depict these important historical figures with great vitality, character, and skill.
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