Wikipedia:Valued picture candidates/Voltaire's Philosophy of Newton frontispiece

Frontispiece to Voltaire's Philosophy of Newton

Original - In the frontispiece to Voltaire's interpretation of Isaac Newton's work, Elémens de la philosophie de Neuton (1738), the philosophe sits translating the inspired work of Newton. Voltaire's manuscript is illuminated by seemingly divine light coming from Newton himself, reflected down to Voltaire by a muse, representing Voltaire's lover Émilie du Châtelet—who actually translated Newton and collaborated with Voltaire to make sense of Newton's work.

Reason

It's a fascinating frontispiece full of interesting details, and it's a point of connection for art, science, literature, gender, nationalism, and other big, important topics. The scan quality falls just a little short of Featured Picture standards, but it's still quite good.

Articles this image appears in

Émilie du Châtelet, Voltaire, Passionate Minds

Creator

From Voltaire's book; L. F. Duboury and I. Felkema? are the artist/engraver pair; scanned by the University of Oklahoma Library; minor editing by Ragesoss

• Support as nominator --ragesoss (talk) 01:44, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
• Support Noodle snacks (talk) 03:53, 17 June 2009 (UTC)
• Support. --candle•wicke 01:57, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

Not promoted No quorum. --wadester16 04:46, 26 June 2009 (UTC)