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Specific

• Author:

  OVIDIO Publio Nasone

• Title: L'ART D'AIMER (ARS AMATORIA)
• Place: Paris
• Publisher: POUR LE FRERES GONIN
• Data: 1935
• Format: In-folio
• Comparison bibliographic: Guerin, "Catalogue raisonn� de l'oeuvre grav� et lithographi� de Aristide Maillol". Gen�ve, Cailler, 1965-67

Product's description

Magnificent Deco style binding with mosaic decoration in hazel coarse-grained morocco signed by J. Ogiez. Framing both covers a mosaic decoration in green, red and brown to form a neoclassical Greek motif. Four raised bands spine, in 5 sections with gilt author and title. In the front and back pastedowns wide and refined gilt and black straight dentelles. Double endpapers in green silk and marble brown paper. Original cardboard slipcase with leather edges. (4) -122 -(4) numbered pages. Inside, 12 original lithographs, 6 of which in sanguine, all monogrammed “M” at the bottom right of the leaf and 16 original woodcuts, 4 of which initials, representing female figures and couples in love. Aristide Maillol (1861 - 1944), author of the illustrations specifically realized for this volume, established himself in France as a painter and sculptor of great success. His most beloved theme was the female nude, the ideal of the classical beauty: the style of his work was likely inspired by the journey he made in Greece in 1908. The well-known text, Ars Amatoria, is one of Ovid’s most famous works, in them the author himself takes the role of a praeceptor amoris, love teacher instructor, teaching the art of seduction. Ovid’s innovation consists in having reinterpreted the role of “praeceptor”: If previously the poet-lover felt socially bound to put his experience to the others’ service, after a tormented love story with his beloved one, now, the role of poet becomes separated from his past life experience. Moreover, while previously the poet-lover defined himself as a slave of love, now, the praeceptor looks beyond the love relationship between the two partners and pleases himself by providing detailed advices, inviting the readers to rigorously follow them, as if they were culinary receipts. The volume was printed in Paris in the 18th of June of 1935 by the Gonin brothers of Lausanne, with the collaboration of M. Gustave Edouard Gentil. The text was prepared and translated by Henri Bornecque for the collection of the University of France. The typesetting, the reproduction of the text and of the xilographies were in charge of Philippe Gonin, while the lithographs were prepared by E. Desjobert. The complete circulation was of 275, divided in two editions with a different numeration. This is copy number 105 of the first edition of 225, printed on pure hand-made hemp paper. The colophon is pencil signed by Maillol and printer Philippe Gonin. Copy in excellent conditions.

Cfr. Guerin, "Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre gravé et lithographié de Aristide Maillol". Genéve, Cailler, 1965-67