At Voltaire's table

The Centre des Monuments Nationaux is presenting the exhibition "À la table de Voltaire" at the Chateau de Voltaire. The result of collaboration between the Société Voltaire, the Centre International d'Etude du XVIIIe siècle and the Voltaire à Ferney association, the exhibition has been curated by Ms Ulla Kölving (Société Voltaire), Mr François Jacob (Centre International d'Etude du XVIIIe siècle and Université Jean Moulin-Lyon 3), Ms Jacqueline Queneau, a specialist in tableware and curator of the exhibition, Mr Jean-Louis Janin Daviet, scenographer, and Mr François-Xavier Verger, administrator of the château.

The exhibition will present three major stages symbolising the art of the table in the 18^th century, and more specifically in Voltaire's life.

The exhibition will begin with the first table laid at the "Grand Couvert d'argent" , highlighting the art of table setting and, more specifically, French-style service.

The journey continues with an evocation of the role of the table among the philosophers of the Enlightenment, where gustatory and intellectual pleasures were closely linked and where the art of conversation flourished.

Finally, the last stage will highlight the diner in the literature of this century.

The exhibition shows objects in situ, paintings and costumes, surrounded by books on cooking, the art of entertaining and descriptions of receptions during the Grand siècle and the Age of Enlightenment.The exhibition also features illustrations of Voltaire's meals, in particular the drawing entitled "Déjeuner de Ferney" by Jean Huber, acquired by the Centre des monuments nationaux in 2023. The tableware on display belongs to enthusiastic collectors, tableware manufacturers and public collections, including the town of Ferney-Voltaire.

Scientific curators : Flávio Borda d'Água François Jacob Ulla Kölving, Jacqueline Queneau

Set design : Jean-Louis Janin Daviet

General coordinator : François-Xavier Verger, administrator at Voltaire's château in Ferney

Major partners : Bibliothèque de Genève - Les Délices-Voltaire à Ferney-Société Voltaire MARGE Centre at Jean Moulin University - Lyon 3 (EA 3712) The Centre international d'étude du XVIIIe siècle

The exhibition is on loan from institutions, private collectors and galleries.

Institutions:Hôtel Abbatial de Lunéville, Espace Muséal

The collectors : Jacqueline and Philippe Queneau/Irmann- Pascal Pinet Boutique BERNARDAUD Porcelaine-Thierry Mulette-Isabelle Turquin