Jean-Antoine Houdon was the Richard Avedon of his time.

Admired for his ability to capture in sculpture the likeness and the soul of his subjects, as Avedon later would in photos, he was the go-to guy for tout Paris, and beyond.

Musee du Louvre (ENLARGE)
Jean-Antoine Houdon's sculpture of philosopher and intellectual Denis Diderot suggests a man deep in thought.
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REVIEW "Houdon at the Louvre: Masterworks of the Enlightenment." Through Sept. 7. $18; $15, seniors and students with ID; $11, children 6-17; free for members and children 5 and under. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays; until 8 p.m. Thursdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. High Museum of Art. 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-4444; www.high.org. Bottom line: Portrait sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon brought his subjects to life with skill and subtlety. This delightful exhibition, a highlight of the Louvre Atlanta partnership, does the same for him • Map it and review it.

The High Museum of Art's excellent exhibition on this 18th-century master brings you face to face with the movers and shakers of the Enlightenment, from philosopher Denis Diderot and playwright Voltaire to actress Sophie Arnould, who reportedly ordered 30 plaster copies of her likeness to distribute to her lovers.

And face to face as well with the skill, science, empathy and cleverness that made Houdon the greatest portrait sculptor of his day.

Houdon's works were grounded in physical facts. He made life masks and measured his subjects' features with calipers. In his hands, the hard surfaces of marble, terra cotta, plaster and bronze became as supple of the skin of his subjects, crow's feet, dimples and all. His bust of George Washington was considered the truest of the president's many portraits; it immortalizes him to this day on the U.S. nickel.

Yet, he also found ways to convey the intangibles of character and personality by the tilt of a head, attire and subtleties of expression, which appear in surprising variety here considering the limitations of the bust.

To reflect Diderot's interest in antiquity, Houdon presents him wigless and simply attired. The thinker's piercing gaze, directed into the distance, suggests a man deep in thought. In contrast, Arnould's eyes flutter upward in an appropriately theatrical expression and one breast coyly peeps out of bodice (a shout-out to those lovers?).

This is an exhibit that does it all. It's an engaging and illuminating presentation of an important artist, encompassing many media and genres. Each piece contributes to the story, demonstrating Houdon's skill and breadth as well as the milieu in which he thrived.

And it does so with the depth that only the Louvre, which has the largest Houdon holdings in the world, could offer. By my lights, it's the best Louvre Atlanta show thus far.