Laocoon and Sons, Hellenistic Greece.
"Equo ne credite, Teucri / Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis"
or "Do not Trust the horse, Trojans."
Its sensuous and emotional qualities combine with a sense of action in this masterful adoration of the human form. The drapes upon Laocoon's sons are a clear hallmark of this time period in Greek sculpture, as well as the tactile hair. Upon it's completion, this statue would have been very controversial as the end of the classical period had just occurred, and the present taste had been far more conservative. The piece has also, unfortunately, suffered from Iconoclasm, most likely from christian moralists.
Laocoon was trusted with the knowledge that the invading Greeks would set a trap for the Trojans by giving them a gift. "Beware Greeks bearing gifts." When the Greeks presented the Trojans with a giant wooden horse, he attempted to convince the Trojans not to accept. Poseidon, who was in favor of the Greeks, sent a giant sea serpent to kill Laocoon and his sons for his treachery. This piece captures that traumatizing moment in time.
This artwork would help set the stage for action painters, Hellenistic sculpture and narrative artists of the future.Its beautiful classic Greek bodies standing monument to the human form.
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