About the book: 2012 / The series "Classics at the University" publishes works included in the literature curricula of universities, academies and institutes. Most of these works are difficult to find not only in bookstores and libraries, but also in electronic format. Gotthold Lessing (1729 - 1781) - poet, critic, founder of German classical literature, author of the famous treatise on aesthetic principles “Laocoon, or On the Limits of Painting and poetry." “Laocoon” compares two types of art: painting and poetry, using the example of the sculpture of Laocoon, depicted by Sadolet, and Laocoon, shown by Virgil. The book has not been republished in Russia since 1980.