After visiting Voltaire at his estate in Ferney, Georg Waechter produced the first version of this famous medal in 1769, which included the controversial inscription “il ôte aux nations le bandeau d’erreur” [He takes away from nations the blindfold of error] on the reverse. This inscription caused Waechter to be expelled from his position in Geneva and the original dies destroyed (few surviving medals of this version still exist). In 1770, Waechter re-issued the medal with the new inscription found on this example, simply stating that Voltaire’s portrait was sketched in person at his estate in Ferney. Waechter’s rendition of the famous Enlightenment writer’s likeness received praise for its expressiveness. However, in a letter to his former secretary Collini in September 4, 1770, Voltaire expressed his disapproval, objecting to the “long pointy nose” with which he was portrayed.
Object Description
347 VOLTAIRE (1694-1778) 1770
Obv. Bust to right. Around, VOLTAIRE NE LE XX . FEVRIER M . DC . XCIV . ; below, G . C . WAECHTER F . ; laurel border
Rev. On an altar surrounded by light rays, masks, a globe, a laurel wreath, flowers, musical instruments, books, one inscribed LA HENRIADE. On altar front, inscription, TIRE | D'APRES NATURE | AU CHATEAU | DE FERNEY . | G . C . WAECHTER; below, GRAVE | M . DCC . LXX . ; floral border
Bronze, struck, 59 mm.
The original medal of 1769 was inscribed "il ote aux nations le bandeau de I'erreur," but this was objected to and the dies were destroyed and the new reverse cut.
Bibl.: Forrer 6, pp. 338-39; Brescia 2, p. 81, no. 159; E. Demole, "Voltaire, le Conseil de Geneve et le graveur G.-C. Waechter en 1769 et 1770," Revue beige de Numismatique (1913), pp. 36-48. The medals of Voltaire are conveniently listed in J. Montagu, "Inventaire des tableaux, sculptures, estampes, etc. de I'lnstitut et musee Voltaire," Studies on Voltaire and the Eighteenth Century 20 (1962), pp. 223-47, pp. 229-30.
