Voltaire, 1694-1778, Writer and Philosopher [obverse]

Georg Christian Waechter

National Gallery of Art

The image features a detailed engraving of a man's profile on a coin or medallion. The subject is shown from the waist up in a side profile facing to the right. He has fine facial features with a prominent nose and a self-assured expression. His hair is styled into long curls reaching his shoulders, and he wears a coat with rows of buttons, typical of 18th-century fashion. The medallion contains an inscription that reads, "VOLTAIRE NÉ LE XXX. FEVRIER MDCCXCIV." The background of the medallion is simple, emphasizing the intricate details of the man's likeness and the surrounding text.