Laocoon

Laocoon: Or The Limits Of Poetry And Painting is a philosophical treatise written by German writer Gotthold Ephraim Lessing in 1766. The book examines the relationship between poetry, painting, and sculpture, and argues that each art form has its own unique strengths and limitations. The title refers to the Greek myth of Laocoon, a Trojan priest who was killed by sea serpents after warning his people not to accept the Trojan Horse. Lessing uses this story as a metaphor for the limitations of art, arguing that just as Laocoon could not escape the serpents, art forms cannot escape their inherent limitations.Lessing argues that poetry is better suited to describing actions and events, while painting and sculpture are better suited to representing physical objects and emotions. He also discusses the importance of unity in art, and argues that each art form should strive for a sense of coherence and completeness. Laocoon: Or The Limits Of Poetry And Painting was a groundbreaking work in the field of aesthetics, and remains an important text in the study of art theory today. It is considered a foundational text of the Enlightenment, and has influenced many subsequent writers and artists.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.