Full Description
Never reprinted since their first, posthumous appearance in 1935, these woodcuts were the only printed versions of his work to receive Rodin's full approval. Mostly self-educated, Rodin was a passionate re-reader of his favourite books, and Ovid's Love Elegies occupied a special place in his imagination. These woodcut illustrations were taken from the astonishingly free and improvisatory life drawings he made in his later years. For many people these are the most entrancing manifestation of his genius. Privately published in 1939 in a very strictly limited edition, these 31 beautiful images are very rarely seen. This edition marries Rodin's illustrations to Christopher Marlowe's glittering translation, which was ceremonially burnt by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1599.
Contents
1. How he is obliged by Cupid to write of love instead of war, p. 6
2. That, being carried away by first love, he suffers himself
to be led in triumph by Cupid, p. 8
3. To his mistress, p. 10
4. He advises his mistress what stratagem or nods she should
employ at dinner in her husband's presence, p. 12
5. Going to bed with Corinna, p. 16
6. To the porter, to open the door for him, p. 17
7. To placate his mistress, whom he had beaten, p. 20
8. He curses the bawd who has been instructing his
mistress in the arts of a whore, p. 23
9. To Atticus, that a lover ought not to be lazy
any more than a soldier, p. 28
10. To a girl, not to ask for reward for love, p. 31
11. He tells Nape to carry a letter to Corinna, p. 34
12. He curses the letter which he had sent, because his
mistress refused him the night, p. 36
13. To the Dawn, not to hurry, p. 38
14. That he is compelled to write of love-affairs, rather than
the battle of the Giants, p. 40
15. To Bagous, that he should keep watch with greater laxity over the
girl committed to his charge, p. 43
16. To the eunuch house servant, p. 46
17. That he loves women,whatever their looks, p. 48
18. To his unfaithful mistress, p. 51
19. He clears himself of his mistress's accusation
that he loves her maid, p. 54
20. To his mistress, that if she sin, she sin in secret, p. 56
21. He complains that, being admitted by his mistress,
he couldn't copulate, p. 58
22. To Venus, that he is bringing the elegies to an end, p. 62
