Greek art in the Hellenistic period changed with the changing character of the people. The detachment of classical sculpture gave way to an exploration of human emotions that utilized a greater knowledge of anatomy and a wider range of acceptable subject matter. Art, once a religious exercise, became big business. The new cities in Egypt and Syria wanted statues for their temples and streets. Not only kings and generals but rich merchants bought marble replicas of themselves. Athens boomed on the profits of its sculpture. Athenian sculptors turned out both original work and fair copies of old statues. Boatloads of artwork were shipped to all parts of the Mediterranean. Eventually factories were set up near the quarries to turn out statues wholesale. Even so, supply never kept up with demand.
AN OLD WOMAN is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic work showing a very real and wrinkled woman who is finding release from her cares in a bout of drinking. Classical sculpture had preferred to portray beautiful young women.
LAOCOOn and his sons, a powerful study of terror, was done by three sculptors. The family is shown in the death grip of serpents sent by the gods as punishment after Laocoon urged the Trojans not to touch the wooden horse.
A STUMP OF A COLUMN from the temple of Apollo at Didyma shows the search for the ornate in Hellenistic architecture. In place of a severe Ionic base, there is a foundation of intricate carvings.
World History
