The Art of Loving

Publius Ovidius Naso, better known as Ovid, was born on March 20, 43 BC, in Sulmo (now Sulmona, Italy), into an equestrian family. He studied in Rome and later continued his education in Greece, where he excelled in rhetoric, although it was poetry that proved to be his true calling. Ovid became known as one of the leading poets of the Augustan period, alongside Virgil and Horace.

His talent for verse and skill in Latin made him a favorite of the Roman court. The poet became famous for his light and ironic style, which he used to describe love themes, which is particularly visible in his works such as Amores (Loves), Heroides (Heroines' Letters) and Ars Amatoria . Unfortunately, in 8 AD, Ovid fell out of favor with Emperor Augustus and was exiled to the outskirts of the Empire – to Tomis (today's Constanța in Romania). The reasons for Ovid's exile remain unclear, but in his writings he mentions "error and poem" ( carmen et error ), which could refer to some personal shortcoming as well as to the content of his works. Despite numerous requests for clemency, the poet remained in exile until his death around 17–18 AD.

History of Ars Amatoria

Ars Amatoria , or The Art of Loving , is one of Ovid's most famous works, written around 1 BC. It consists of three books - the first two are addressed to men, the third to women. In them, the poet presents a kind of "guide" to love and the art of seduction, describing various techniques for gaining and maintaining the feelings of another person. With humor and irony, Ovid advises on how to behave in company, how to write love letters, how to arouse jealousy and how to behave during courtship.

The work was unique in Roman literature of the time because of its subject matter and its approach to the subject of love – elegant and witty, but also provocative in its openness. In a society where talking about love was often taboo, Ars Amatoria became both an admired and controversial text. For many young Romans, however, the book was an inspiration and enjoyed enormous popularity.

Unfortunately, it was Ars Amatoria that may have been one of the reasons for Ovid's exile, since Emperor Augustus particularly disapproved of the moral climate that his poetry promoted. At a time when Augustus was trying to restore strict moral principles to Rome and promote a model of family life, Ovid's works, full of ambiguity and a light approach to love, could be seen as the antithesis of imperial policy.

Reception and Heritage

The Ars Amatoria has survived the centuries as one of the most famous works of ancient literature, and its influence can be seen not only in ancient culture but also in the literature of the Renaissance and later periods. Although the text was condemned by the Church for centuries for its bold message, it has been widely translated, adapted, and studied. Ovid's Art of Love was eagerly read by those who wanted to delve into the mysteries of love relationships and understand the nature of human emotion.

Today, Ars Amatoria remains an important testimony to the ancient view of love, constituting both a source of knowledge about ancient culture and a literary work full of wit, elegance, and rhetorical skill that continues to inspire scholars and readers around the world.

Our edition was published in an edition of 25 copies. The book was set in Walbaum type and printed on Century Laid paper. The frontispiece features a print by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon from 1797, illustrating the Third Book.

Handmade binding. With case.