Denis Diderot

Diderot, Denis

französischer Abbé, Schriftsteller, Übersetzer, Philosoph, Aufklärer, Literatur- und Kunsttheoretiker[1], Kunstagent für die russische Zarin Katharina II. und einer der wichtigsten Organisatoren und A Autograph letter signed. ohne Ort. 8vo. 1 p. Doppelblatt. Mit Adresse. Leichter Abriss des Respektblattes ohne Adressverlust.
$ 19,460 / 18.000 € (83321)

"Monsieur de St. Aubin has forgotten that there is a treaty between him and me. I am supposed to send him the first work that will be printed of mine. In return, he is to grant me a Venus Anadyomene and his second small plate of antique stones. If this forgetfulness stems from him valuing his work more than mine and thinking he made a bad deal, he is correct. If not, he will hand over the Venus to the bearer, well wrapped so that his dirty and coarse hand cannot spoil it. I send my regards and embrace him as always." At the end of the letter, Saint-Aubin added the date in pencil: "1781 I sent him a Venus before the letter in February 1782." The letter was transmitted by Eugène Charavay to Maurice Tourneux, who published and commented on it in "Diderot et Catherine II." (Paris, 1899, pp.

419-420). Very rare..

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Diderot, Denis

French philosopher, art critic, and writer (1713-1784). Autograph letter. No place or date. 8vo. 1 page.
$ 20,000 / 18.500 € (83060/BN54494)

To a friend, criticizing a philosophical work similar to those of Nicolas Malebranche and René Descartes, but lacking in style and even in correct French, wherein the author claims fire to be the main principle of everything, and the atmosphere to be nothing more than a mass of aqueous molecules which charge, moisten, and minimize the power of fire, without giving the proper scientific facts confirming his theory, concluding with the observation that the age of experimental philosophy has come to supersede that of visions: "Cet ouvrage n'est pas sans idées.

C'est une réverie de la tournure de celles de Malebranche et de Descartes, mais point de stile, quelquefoi même pas de Français. Si ce qu'il y a là dedans de systematique etait tombé dans la tête de Bufon, à force d'expressions, De Subtilités et de couleur, je ne sais ce qu'il n'en aurait pas fait. Dans l'état où cela est, point de sensation d'espérer. Selon l'auteur, Le feu est le principe de tout, excepté de son ouvrage. Quand on se propose de demonstrer qu'il n'y a point d'air, mais que notre athmosphère n'est qu'un amas de molecules aqueuses qui chargent, mouillent et [...] appesantissent Les ailes du feu, il faudrait commencer par l'aprovisionner d'un bon nombre de faits, et la reponse à tous ceux qu'on peut apposer, n'est ce rien? [...] Le reigne de la philosophie experimentale est venu, et celui des visions est passé [...]". - With pencil attribution at the lower edge. Number 24 stamped on verso. Traces of former mounting; slightly brownstained..

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