Artwork
Voltaire (1694 - 1778)
Voltaire (1694 - 1778) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist William Quiller Orchardson. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
This 1892 oil painting by William Quiller Orchardson portrays a scene of 18th-century men in conversation, mistakenly attributed to depicting Voltaire. The work showcases Orchardson's skill in capturing intimate, realistic moments within opulent settings.
Subject & Meaning
Contrary to its title, the painting does not focus on Voltaire alone but rather a group of men engaged in animated discussion in a grand, ornate room. The subject emphasizes the atmosphere of intellectual camaraderie prevalent during the Enlightenment.
Technique & Style
Orchardson employs warm colors and soft lighting to evoke comfort and engagement among the subjects. Attention to detail in attire, furnishings, and accessories reflects a blend of Impressionist sensitivity with a realistic, observant approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1892 by the Scottish artist William Quiller Orchardson, known for portraits and historical scenes, the painting is part of the Scottish National Gallery's collection.
Context
Despite being labeled as part of the Impressionist movement, the painting's detailed realism and group scene setting distinguish it from typical Impressionist works, highlighting Orchardson's unique blend of styles.
Legacy
The painting provides insight into Orchardson's contribution to late 19th-century portraiture and historical genre painting, though its misattribution regarding Voltaire may affect its interpretive legacy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir William Quiller Orchardson (27 March 1832 – 13 April 1910) was a Scottish portraitist and painter of domestic and historical subjects who was knighted in June 1907, at the age of 75.
The Rivals
Through the Corn
Miss Joanna Isabella Dick
The Queen of the Swords
The Artist's Wife (Ellen Moxon, Lady Orchardson, 1853 - 1917)
Study of the Artist's daughter Hilda Orchardson (born 1875) and one of her younger brothers
The first cloud
The Artist's Wife (Ellen Moxon, later Lady Orchardson, c 1854 - 1917)
Madame Jourdain Finds Her Husband Entertaining Dorimène and Dorante (from Molière's 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme')
A Celebration
Love in the French Theatre
Merry Christmas in the Baron's Hall
Les Femmes Savantes
The Life of Buckingham
Scene from Cervantes' 'Don Quixote' (Part II, Chapter 31)
During the Belshazzar's banquet a hand appears and writes on the wall (Danel 5)
Hamlet’s Vision
The Life of Buckingham
Banquet of a rich glutton