Jean Huber Paintings

Jean Huber, also known as Jean Huber Voltaire, was a Swiss painter, printmaker, and silhouette artist renowned for his association with the famous French Enlightenment writer Voltaire. Born in Geneva in 1721, Huber was not initially a professional artist; he came from a privileged background and spent much of his early life as a soldier and diplomat.

Despite not having formal artistic training, Huber developed a keen interest in art and became particularly skilled in creating silhouettes, which were popular during the 18th century. These were images cut from black card and often used for portraiture at a time when other forms of capturing likenesses, such as photography, were not available.

Huber's relationship with Voltaire began when he moved to Ferney, near Geneva, where Voltaire had his estate. The two became close friends, and Huber spent significant time observing and recording the daily life and work of the philosopher. His works provide a unique visual record of Voltaire's private life and have become an invaluable resource for historians studying the period.

One of Huber's most famous works is a series of silhouettes depicting Voltaire in various activities, such as writing, dining, and even in conversation with notable figures of the time. Apart from silhouettes, Huber also engaged in painting and printmaking, producing works that were often satirical or carried social commentary, reflecting the Enlightenment ideals of reason and empirical evidence.

Despite his artistic accomplishments, Jean Huber's fame largely rests on his association with Voltaire and the unique documentary insights his works provide into the life of one of the Enlightenment's most prominent figures. Jean Huber died in 1786, but his works continue to be of interest to art historians and enthusiasts of the Enlightenment era.