Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Snail-shaped Potpourrie Vase 1763-68 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Snail-shaped Potpourri Vase 1763-68 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
"His power, we allow, is infinite; whatever he wills is executed: But neither man nor any other animal is happy; therefore, he does not will their happiness. His wisdom is infinite; he is never mistaken in choosing the means to any end; But the course of Nature tends not to human or animal felicity: Therefore, it is not established for that purpose. Through the whole compass of human knowledge there are no inferences more certain and infallible than these. In what respect, then, do his benevolence and mercy resemble the benevolence and mercy of men? . . . Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?"
– from Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779) by David Hume
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Gondola-shaped Potpourri Vase 1756 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Vases with Infant Tritons ca. 1770 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Incense-burner 1773 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Incense-burner 1780 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Vase 1770s Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Vase 1760 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Vase 1780 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Monteith (punch-bowl) 1777-78 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Portrait of Louis XV 1761 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Bust of Louis XVI 1785-89 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Bust of Marie Antoinette ca. 1774-82 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Children planting the Tree of Revolution ca. 1790-94 Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |