Laocoon (Laocoön and His Sons)

Primary Creator
Sculptor: Agesander
Contributor(s)
Sculptor: Athenodoros
Sculptor: Polydorus
Properties
Era500 BCE - 1 CE
Height82
Length44
StyleGreco-Roman
Width64
Name of Work Laocoon (Laocoön and His Sons)
Production Date 1st century BCE to 1st century CE
Production Location


Current Location


Media Types marble
General Notes A marvel that it even exists after all this time and neglect.

Description

A monumental, life-size marble sculpture of stunning complexity and three-dimensionality.  It depicts Laacoon with his sons who are involved in a death and life struggle with a giant serpent, and are not winning.  

Theme

The heroic but agonizing defeat of Men. This sculpture certainly represents at the same time the heroic nature of men but cast into an impossible situation that can only be tragic.

Emotional Sum or Sense-of-life

Life is a desperate, agonizing struggle.

Context Information

Tags

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