Voltaire at the Age of Twenty-Four

What it is

This oval portrait of a young man in a curled wig and embroidered coat was painted by Nicolas de Largillière in 1701, around the time Voltaire began using that name. It is held today at the Musée Carnavalet in Paris.

Why it matters

This is said to be the most reproduced image of Voltaire, showing him as a confident young writer at the start of his career, long before he became the famous philosopher of old age. Research suggests the Carnavalet version is the original, with a later copy made around 1740 when Voltaire had become Europe's most celebrated writer.

Look closer

• How does this young Voltaire compare with later images of him as an old man?
• What might the choice of clothing and pose tell you about how Voltaire wanted to be seen?
• Why might a portrait of a famous person be copied later in their life?