Do you know of the legend of Laocoön? He was the Trojan priest of Apollo who warned of the Greeks' insidious plot to invade Troy through the ultimate plan of treachery and deception – a "gift" from the gods or as we know now – the fateful Trojan Horse. A fascinating tale told in the "Iliad" of Laocoön's plight to warn to Prium that the Trojan horse was in reality, a fraud and trap, and that it should be burned. Sentenced to death by Athena, Apollo, or Poseidon, the actual reason and who is responsible varies according to legend, Laocoön and his twin sons, Antiphantes and Thymbraeus, were killed by these two coiling serpents that choked the very life right out of them.
This statue, now in the Vatican Museums, was unearthed in 1506 near the site of the Somus Aurea of the Emperor Nero in Rome and dates back to 40-20 B.C. Who commissioned and sculpted this extraordinary marble sculpture remains a mystery today, but we do know that it influenced the course of the Italian Renaissance and sculptors alike including Michelangelo himself who was called to the site after its removal! Later, Pope Julius II, after hearing of the discovery, brought it to the Vatican and placed it in the Belvedere Garden.
Next time you're in Rome, make sure you stop by the Vatican Museum to see Laocoön and His Sons and behold its magnificence yourself! Discover more of the Vatican and Michelangelo.
I saw that when I was in Vatican too, those stories and art are always impressive.
ReplyDeleteI think this one sculpture impressed me the most once I found out its age and its influence on the course of Renaissance and Classical sculpture. Fascinating discovery...the lifelike detail rendered in the marble are extraordinary!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!!
As a school girl in Australia I vividly remember learning about this exact statue in Art history. Now it is coming to life, ciao lisa
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by. I am still amazed at this sculpture and the fact that it predates most familiar classical sculptures by 1500 years. Stunning detail with astounding realistic features achieved so long ago! Ciao!!
Interesting history! The statue is beautiful. Hope to see it in person one day :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much my Downtown Traveler!! It is amazing to say the least not only for its sculptural magnificence but for its role in the Classic revival!!
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