Letter from Voltaire to Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, written from château de Ferney and dated 22 June 1770 [D16436]

Identifiers

CMV:

CMV36727

Shelfmark:

5-240 (VII, f.101-2), ‘A M. d’Alembert, 22 juin 1770, à Ferney (M.7931)’

Title:

Letter from Voltaire to Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, written from château de Ferney and dated 22 June 1770 [D16436]

Related record(s):

No related manuscripts found.

Link to Archive Catalogue:

Link to Digital Resource:

OCLC Number:

Reproductions:

The Besterman Collection, Geneva

Content

People:

Incipit Diplomatic:

C’est un beau souflet, mon cher et vrai philosophe, que vous donnez au fanatisme et aux lâches valets de ce monstre.

Incipit Modernised:

C’est un beau souflet, mon cher et vrai philosophe, que vous donnez au fanatisme et aux lâches valets de ce monstre.

Language(s):

In Voltaire’s Hand:

No

Brief Summary:

Letter from Voltaire to Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, dated 22 June 1770.

Detailed Summary:

The writer thanks his correspondent – a fellow philosopher and supporter – for his powerful gesture against fanaticism, praising a statue commissioned as a tribute to reason and resistance to tyranny. He speaks highly of the sculptor Pigalle and the Duc de Choiseul, who, despite past associations, now supports Enlightenment ideals and has helped Genevan refugees by promoting their watchmaking trade. Voltaire praises Pigalle’s talent and simplicity, and admires the design of the Marshal de Saxe’s mausoleum. He also applauds the decision to replace the traditional image of enslaved figures at monarchs’ feet with depictions of free, happy citizens — an artistic shift toward honouring human dignity. He closes with affection and deep respect for his friend.

Genre(s):

Status:

Physical Description

Material(s):

Extent:

2 ff.

Format:

Dimensions:

Hands:

1

Watermark:

Countermark:

Binding:

The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.

Additional Comments:

Materiality Keywords:

Decorations:

Additions:

Marginalia Keywords:

Inclusions:

History

Date:

22 June 1770

Ownership:

After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.

Origin (transcript):

Provenance:

This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.

Bibliography

Bibliography:

Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)

OCV Reference:

vol.120, p.272–273

OCV Manuscript Reference:

vol.120, ‘MS1’, p.273

Record created by:

Aušra Bukniute

Record created on:

29 August 2024