Ovide - L'art d’aimer - 1763

François-Étienne Gouge de Cessières — The Art of Loving, a new poem in six cantos

London, at the expense of the Company, 1763

Ancient illustrated edition of this poem devoted to the art of seduction and romantic feelings. The title page announces a “faithful and complete edition, enriched with figures” and presents the author in the form of “Monsieur *****.” The work is generally attributed to François-Étienne Gouge de Cessières.

The volume gathers several texts around the theme of love and Ovid’s poem, notably The Death of Zulni, presented as an epistle, and Ovid’s Idea of the Art of Loving, a text in which the author discusses certain ideas of the abbé Des Fontaines on the manners and customs of the Ancients.

Illustrations: 5 plates either in the text or plates, as well as an engraved vignette on the title page, i.e., 6 engraved illustrations noted.

Characteristics:

* 1763 edition
* Format: about 20 × 12 cm
* 262 pages
* Old leather binding
* Text in French

Condition: old binding showing rubbing and pronounced signs of wear, with wear to corners and edges. Interior aged, with foxing, stains and signs of aging visible on some pages. The engravings and the title page are present. See photographs for the detailed condition of the copy.

A XVIIIth-century work of singular literary content, bringing together gallant poetry, reflection on Ovid’s work and period engravings.

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