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Laoco�n And His Sons : Athenodoros, Polydorus, And Ford

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The sculpture Laocoön And his Sons (figure 1) made in the 1st Century is a mighty marble statue that is situated in Rome in the Vatican Museum. The sculpture is accredited to three sculpturers who all took part in its creation the being: Athenodoros, Polydorus, and Agesander. The massive statue is based on a story from Greek mythology and exemplifies the Hellenistic passion for depicting dynamic and striking figure groupings that would elicit feelings of drama and pain. The sculpture establishes this by it incorporating elements of art such as line, form, and a central focal point, but it also conveys an emotional element with intensity. This sculpture is an example of Hellenistic ideals, unique representations, and assertive imagery, all of which make it distinctive and riveting.
The development of Hellenistic art stems from the historical shift that occurred following the death of Alexander the Great and after the Romans won the Battle of Actium. It was the Hellenistic period that succeeded Alexander’s reign, and marked the beginning of the Roman Empire. The birth of this era between 323-146 BCE is what cemented the revival of art that evoked drama, complex compositions, and pathos or intensity. The transitioning of more dynamic works of art within the Hellenistic period were in direct response to the classical period’s attempt to depict figures in a refined way. In earlier works of the classical period the figures would be depicted with specific poses, and proportions,

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