Hellenistic Ancient Greek sculpture

laocoön , sons (late hellenistic), vatican museum



the hellenistic pergamon altar: l r nereus, doris, giant, oceanus

the transition classical hellenistic (or hellenic) (hellenic not same era hellenistic) period occurred during 4th century bce. greek art became increasingly diverse, influenced cultures of peoples drawn greek orbit, conquest s of alexander great (336 323 bce). in view of art historians, described decline in quality , originality; however, individuals of time may not have shared outlook. many sculptures considered classical masterpieces known of hellenistic age. technical ability of hellenistic sculptors in evidence in such major works winged victory of samothrace, , pergamon altar. new centres of greek culture, particularly in sculpture, developed in alexandria, antioch, pergamum, , other cities. 2nd century bce, rising power of rome had absorbed of greek tradition—and increasing proportion of products well.

during period, sculpture again experienced shift towards increasing naturalism. common people, women, children, animals, , domestic scenes became acceptable subjects sculpture, commissioned wealthy families adornment of homes , gardens. realistic figures of men , women of ages produced, , sculptors no longer felt obliged depict people ideals of beauty or physical perfection. @ same time, new hellenistic cities springing in egypt, syria, , anatolia required statues depicting gods , heroes of greece temples , public places. made sculpture, pottery, industry, consequent standardisation , (some) lowering of quality. these reasons, quite few more hellenistic statues survive present of classical period.

alongside natural shift towards naturalism, there shift in expression of sculptures well. sculptures began expressing more power , energy during time period. easy way see shift in expressions during hellenistic period compare sculptures of classical period. classical period had sculptures such charioteer of delphi expressing humility. sculptures of hellenistic period saw greater expressions of power , energy demonstrated in jockey of artemision.

some of best known hellenistic sculptures winged victory of samothrace (2nd or 1st century bce), statue of aphrodite island of melos known venus de milo (mid-2nd century bce), dying gaul (about 230 bce), , monumental group laocoön , sons (late 1st century bce). these statues depict classical themes, treatment far more sensuous , emotional austere taste of classical period have allowed or technical skills permitted. hellenistic sculpture marked increase in scale, culminated in colossus of rhodes (late 3rd century), thought have been same size statue of liberty. combined effect of earthquakes , looting have destroyed other large works of period might have existed.

following conquests of alexander great, greek culture spread far india, revealed excavations of ai-khanoum in eastern afghanistan, , civilization of greco-bactrians , indo-greeks. greco-buddhist art represented syncretism between greek art , visual expression of buddhism. discoveries made since end of 19th century surrounding (now submerged) ancient egyptian city of heracleum include 4th-century bce depiction of isis. depiction unusually sensual depictions of egyptian goddess, being uncharacteristically detailed , feminine, marking combination of egyptian , hellenistic forms around time of alexander great s conquest of egypt.

in goa, india, found buddha statues in greek styles. these attributed greek converts buddhism, many of whom known have settled in goa during hellenistic times.