Jan 2014: A table of statues

This is the Demidoff Table carved by Lorenzo Bartolini in Florence, Italy in 1845. I have to admit that I was taken aback at the carving. Let me quote from the sculpture's own words, "stretched out upon the plan of the world is Cupid, God of generation, sustaining and watching over the symbolic genius of dissolute wealth without virtue, who snores in his sleep, ....dreaming of past diversions in pleasure. Left to himself, the Genius of ambitious rectitude in work sleeps the agitated sleep of misfortune and glory,....his head extending beyond the periphery of the world"

I really really loved the sleeping figures, truly magnificient