1975 István Orosz Map and View of Paris, France as Voltaire

This is a 1975 Orosz István pictorial map and view of Paris, France, reimagining the city in Voltaire's image. Paris is recognizable because of its shape and the Seine River - and so is Voltaire's skull-like visage.

A Closer Look

The map overlooks 'Paris' from the southwest, with the Seine River (Riuiere de Sainne) nearly bisecting the city. Orosz uses Paris's streets, buildings, and walls to form a 'portrait' of Voltaire, the celebrated French writer and satirist. Voltaire's eyes, nose, mouth, and hair are discernable, as is the outline of his head, using shading, and the city's buildings and walls. Orosz is blatantly taking inspiration from the 16th-century city views of Braun and Hogenberg. The labeling of the river, the design of the city, the artist sitting with his back to the viewer, and the figures in the foreground are direct references to Braun and Hogenberg's views. The four figures in the foreground are characters from Voltaire's most celebrated work, Candide: Martin, Candide, Pangloss, and Kunigunda (or more recognizably as Cunégonde).

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Orosz István in 1975 while he was a student at the Hungarian University of Arts and Design. This is the only known cataloged example.