Hellenistic Art Research Paper

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2. When looking at the art and architecture of the Hellenistic period, the main motivation and essence of it seems to be one of drama and the grandiose. One trait of Hellenistic art is the display of movement and intense emotion in terms of human forms on sculpture. One example of the spectacle of sheer emotion is on the Altar of Zeus in Pergamon from around 175 to 150 BCE; the panels of the altar illustrate the Gigantomachy, or the war between the gods and the giants, where the faces of the giants show intense sorrow and pain when Athena grabs them by the hair or when Zeus is positioned to strike a lightning bolt. Emotion also plays into the sculptures The Gaul and His Wife, but also movement as well. A Gaul, knowing defeat is near, is shown …show more content…
Although sculptures changed during the years from different poses of standing to different positions of reclining, the Hellenistic Baroque combined the relaxed and reclining pose to different emotions and states of mind to create something new; an example of this is the Sleeping Satyr, also known as the Barberini Faun. The satyr is posed in a relaxed way with his arm over his head, legs spread apart, and head tilted down. In addition to this, his brow is gently furrowed as if he is dreaming and his lips are spread apart to show the deepness in sleep. Although he is vulnerable and relaxed, his muscles are still exaggerated and tight in some places, suggesting movement even in sleep. One other example of Hellenistic Baroque art and how it focuses on creating new positions for the sculptures to take is the Seated Boxer. Bearded, wonderfully muscular, and made of bronze, this figure is almost uncannily similar to the statuesque Riace Warriors of the Classical era; yet, instead of standing tall and proud in all of his muscular glory, this boxer is seated and hunched over with this head tilted up and to the side with an expression of pure exhaustion. Looking closer at his face, it is apparent that his lips are puffy and discolored, as if he was just hit in the mouth. Scratches are carved into his cheeks, his nose is off-center and broken, and he also has a cauliflower ear which shows that he has been boxing for a while and the audience sees him now, resting. It is also up to the audience to decide whether this boxer is a champion and that he is exhausted, or whether he has just lost a match and his face shows defeat. Both sides can make valid arguments, but unfortunately the outcome of this fictional boxing match will never be
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