Nike (Victory) of Samothrace, Greek Hellenistic (c.190 BCE)
 Hellenistic Art: characterized by exaggerated forms to elicit
an emotional response in viewer
 "Expressionism" = the characteristic of Hellenistic art
 Landing on prow of ship
 Heavy body that is balanced by the powerful backward
thrust of its enormous wings
 Textured
 Light and dark contrast
 Drapery of the robes is dramatic
 Theatricality: as if she just descends from heaven to
determine the outcome of a drama
Laocoön and his Two Sons, Greek Hellenistic
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During the first century BCE, the various parts of the decaying
Hellenistic empire, including Syria, Macedonia, Greece, and
Egypt, became absorbed into the Roman Empire.
Roman interest in Greek art kept Greek artists busies producing
original works and copies of earlier Classical and Hellenistic art.
Greek Hellenistic taste lived on in Roman Italy.
One such work is the famous group of the Trojan priest Laocöon
and his sons, which was discovered in Rome in 1506 in the
presence of the great Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
Marble
Height 242 cm (95 1/2 in)
In the Museo Pio Clementino,
In classical mythology, Laocoon was a priest in Troy during the Trojan War. When
the Trojans discovered the Trojan horse outside their gates, Laocoon warned
against bringing it into the city, remarking, “I am wary of Greeks even when they are
bringing gifts.” The god Poseidon, who favoured the Greeks, then sent two
enormous snakes after Laocoon. The creatures coiled themselves around the priest
and his two sons, crushing them to death. Some sources say Athena sent the
snakes.
Not calm classicism of 5th C. sculpture: tension and power of figures; musculature
and pain
Still a good male form despite being an enemy of Greeks, a priest (not a warrior) and
a middle aged man
Augustus of Primaporta, Roman
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• The peace and prosperity Augustus brought to the Mediterranean
world and which prevailed for two centuries is known as the Pax
Romana. During this time a number of public works were
commissioned throughout the empire. This is one of them.
• Octavian inherited Caesar's fortune in 44 BCE
• He became emperor before he was 19 years old and changed his
name to Augustus.
• The portrait of Augustus is a copy of an original bronze in the
traditional Greek idealized manner.
• Symbolism: celebration of Augustus’s triumph; god-like attributes
Realism: careful portrayal of cloth across body, details of tunic and sleeves
Augustan Classicism: simplification of facial details, etc. (Compare with Doryphorus)
More idealism in Imperialism (versus art of Republic)
Same posture as used for gods
Ara Pacis, Roman
• The Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace) celebrates the establishment of
peace by Augustus.
• In 9 BC, this altar was built to commemorate the great peace after the Gallic and
Spanish campaigns.
• The Ara consists of a rectangular enclosure inside of which is found the actual altar.
• Mostly restored bas-relief
• Possibly carved by Greek sculptors as is in Greek Classical style
• "Mother of Earth" or "Allegory of Peace" panel: Peace, with Personifications of Fresh
Water, Air, and Sea
• The processions carved in relief on the north and south sides depict a specific event.
• Frieze of the Ara Pacis: Procession of Imperial Family (Augustus, Agrippa, Julius,
and Tiberius.)
• Floral Pattern: Symbol of the peace and plenty nurtured by the emperor
• Peace of Augustus spans whole year as flowers from all seasons
• Along the base of the wall that runs along the Via di Ripetta is a bronze reproduction
of Augustus' testimonial plaque, called by historians the "Res Gestae" (Deeds
accomplished).
• Propaganda statement for the good image of the Emperor
• Programmatic message of peace and prosperity
• Enhanced by mythological and allegorical imagery