Publius Ovidius Naso – a Roman poet who shaped the modern image of antiquity and its mythological world like no other – died 2000 years ago. The exhibition, conceived as a tribute, is dedicated to love as a defining subject in Ovid’s oeuvre. The main emphasis is placed on his modern reception, illustrated by paintings, drawings and prints from the collection at the Martin von Wagner Museum in Würzburg. The poet’s historical influence is accompanied by a look at possible sources of inspiration from Greek art.
The exhibition catalogue provides various insights into a world of mythological love themes and metamorphoses as well as its versatile treatment in art. Moreover, a series of essays examine the historical and cultural prerequisites for Ovid’s love poetry and analyzes how the visual arts in modern times have made the Roman poet their own.