Hubert Jean (Jean Huber)

Jean Huber (January 13, 1721, Geneva - August 21, 1786, Lausanne) - Swiss artist and silhouette artist, had the gift of a cartoonist.

Volteriada

His numerous images of Voltaire are known, whom he regularly visited from the moment he settled in Geneva in 1756, and then in 1759 moved to Fern (where he lived until 1778). Since 1769, Hubert has created a series of paintings, a large number of silhouettes and drawings representing Voltaire in his daily life. This series subsequently replenished the collection of Empress Catherine II and was dedicated to her (a series of nine paintings was called "Scènes domestiques de la vie de Voltaire" or "Voltairade" (Voltairade).

The artist himself received the nickname Hubert-Voltaire (French Jean Huber-Voltaire). Voltaire wrote in 1772 to Marie de Vichy-Chamreau, Marquise of Dudeffan, "He made me a laughing stock from one end Europe to the other."

Diplomat, publicist and critic Friedrich Melchior Grimm, who appreciated his talent, made his work famous in Paris. He managed to interest such wealthy connoisseurs as the Queen of Sweden and the King of Denmark in the works of the artist. He also drew the attention of Catherine II to the artist.

Morning of Voltaire. Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775, oil canvas, 52.5 x 44.5 cm

Voltaire's breakfast. Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775, oil canvas, 52.5cm x 44cm

Voltaire, taming horse Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775, oil canvas, 62 x 50cm

Voltaire on horseback. Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775, oil canvas, 62 x 51cm

Jean Hubert. Voltaire in a convertible. Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775 oil canvas. 62 x 51.5 cm

Self-portrait of Jean Hubert in the painting "Voltaire playing chess with Father Adam" (Jean Hubert second from left). Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775. Oil Canvas. 53 x 44 cm. Hermitage

Voltaire on the theatre stage, Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775, oil canvas, 61 x 49cm

Voltaire planting trees, Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775, oil canvas, 52.5 x 43cm

Voltaire, welcoming guests, Switzerland, between 1750 and 1775, oil canvas, 53.5 x 44.5cm

A series of paintings by Hubert about Voltaire's daily life was acquired by Catherine II in 1775 with the mediation of Friedrich Melchior Grimm, then placed in Tsarskoye Selo, later, under unclear circumstances, disappeared from there and reappeared, already as part of the Vorontsov collection in Odessa, then in Alupka. From there, during the years of the "cultural revolution," they were seized by the All-Union Association "Antiques," which was engaged in the sale of works of art from palaces and collections of old Russia, and transferred to the Hermitage in 1934.