The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Voltaire (Marie François Arouet, 1694

Art Object

Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

See how this desk converts into a dressing table.

When closed, this table may not seem like one of the most complex pieces of European furniture ever made. However, once opened, its concealed drawers and hidden features are exposed, and the entire piece transforms into a dressing table, orpoudreuse. Scholars believe it was commissioned as a wedding gift from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) by Friedrich August III, Elector of Saxony, to his bride in 1769.

This table, from Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Images courtesy of Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt.

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Voltaire (Marie François Arouet, 1694–1778)

After a model by Jean Antoine Houdon (French, Versailles 1741–1828 Paris)

Date:: late 18th century, after a model of 1778
Culture:: French
Medium:: Painted plaster; painted and gilded wood
Dimensions:: H. (of bust) 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm)
Classification:: Sculpture
Credit Line:: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1908
Accession Number:: 08.89.1a, b

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: Inscribed in gold on a black ground in the medallion on the pedestal: .MARIE./.FRANCOIS AROUET./.DE VOLTAIRE./. NE.EN. 1694./.MORT.EN.1778

Marking: Red wax atelier seal on back of bust; ACADEM[IE]/ROYALE/DE PEINTURE/ET SCULP[TURE]/HOUDON/Sc.
Provenance

J. Pierpont Morgan (until 1908; to MMA)
See also
Who
Jean Antoine Houdon (23)
What
Sculpture (24,350)

Gilt (9,043)

Wood (7,651)

Painting (5,225)

Figures (5,008)

Plaster (842)

Busts (553)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Jean–Antoine Houdon (1741–1828)

France, 1600–1800 A.D.

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

Voltaire (Marie François Arouet, 1694–1778)

After a model by Jean Antoine Houdon (French, Versailles 1741–1828 Paris)

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

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Voltaire (Marie François Arouet, 1694–1778)

After a model by Jean Antoine Houdon (French, Versailles 1741–1828 Paris)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store