Jean Calas Says Farewell to His Wife before He is Executed

Image credit: Wellcome Collection

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Notes

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Drawing for a plate facing p.73, vol.II.i., of the first English version of J. C. Lavater's 'Essays on Physiognomy' trans. Henry Hunter, London, 1789–1798. The son of Jean Calas committed suicide; Calas, a Protestant, attempted to cover up the suicide only to find himself accused of murdering his son because he wanted to convert to Catholicism. Calas was executed and 'l'affaire Calas' became taken up by Voltaire as an example of religious intolerance.

Wellcome Collection

London

Title

Jean Calas Says Farewell to His Wife before He is Executed

Date

c.1789

Medium

pencil on paper (?)

Measurements

H 15.1 x W 15.1 cm

Accession number

29008i

Acquisition method

presumed to be part of the collection formed by Henry S. Wellcome

Work type

Drawing

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