HUM110CL Module 3 AVP BTranscript
Title Page
Welcome to this presentation of Hellenistic sculptures.
Slide 2
Title:The Dying Gaul—225 BCE
Slide content:Picture of The Dying Gaul statue
Narrator:This sculpture is called:The Dying Gaul.It is a copy of the original piece that was sculpted sometime around 225 BCE.The original has been lost. We do not know the author.However, Dying Gaul aptly demonstrates the trends of the Hellenistic world.
Slide 3
Title:Individualism—Interest in the individual and individual characteristics of a human being
Slide content:Picture of The Dying Gaul statue
Narrator:Individualism isthe interest in the individual and individual characteristics of a human being.This is not just another perfect Athenian male, but someone imperfect.Notice the Gaul’s body is not nearly as perfectly proportioned or muscled as Doryphoros body.Parts of his ribs are showing; his haircut is unruly and not cut to Athenian Ideal.
Slide 4
Title:Emotionalism—Interest in the emotions of the human being
Slide content:Pictures of The Dying Gaul’s face and chest
Narrator:Emotionalism is theinterest in the emotional expression of a human being.As you see in this close-up of the face, this man is in agony.If you look at his torso, on his right side, you will see the slash of a mortal wound.This man is dying, an emotional subject that fascinated the Hellenistics.
Slide 5
Title:Realism—Interest in likeness or actual outward reality
Slide content:Picture of The Dying Gaul’s face
Narrator:Realism is the art interest in likeness or actual outward reality.As pointed out, this man doesn’t match the perfection of Doryphoros, nor the personal attributes.His hair-do is different and he has facial hair.He is also wearing a big thick choker looking necklace (called a torque) which is not the fashion in Athens.This man is a Gaul, a member of fierce nomadic tribethat originates in France, and made marauding campaigns attacking the Greeks during various times.The Hellenistic’s have their hands full trying to keep these warriors from decimating their towns.This statue was made to commemorate a fierce battle in which the Hellenistic’s finally managed to push the Gauls back to France.It was such a tough battle, and the Gauls were so fearless in their fighting, that the Hellenistic’s made this sculpture to commemorate this battle.Dying Gaul is not about an Athenian, but the man is from a very different culture, and the Hellenistic Greeks begin making art about other cultures that begin to diversify their own.
Slide 6
Title:Laocoön and HisSons—200 BCE
Slide content:Picture of Laocoön and HisSons statue
Narrator:The development of the art of sculpture continues with the Hellenistics.The trend of emotionalism demands the ability to show more movement in a static art form, and the Hellenistics succeed in doing so.In your text, you have looked at Laocoön and HisSons.Notice how much movement is in this sculpture.Laocoön angered the Greek God of the oceans, Poseidon.In revenge, Poseidon sends a sea serpent to first kill Laocoön’s two sons and then strangle the father.The sculptor makes us feel the agony of Laocoön and his sons as they writhe and struggle with the undulating coils of the sea serpent as it slowly strangles them all to death.
Slide 7
Title:Laocoön and HisSonsvs Doryphoros
Slide content:Pictures ofLaocoön and HisSonsand Doryphoros statues
Narrator:Compare Laoccön’s sculpture to Doryphoros. Even though Lance Bearer shows a shifting of weight, he does not give the illusion of movement that Hellenistic sculpture can do. Again, when a culture advances in ways of domination, education, financially, it is usual to see developments in the arts.The Hellenistics are no exception.Let’s compare some other sculptures and see if you can identify which sculpture fits which period.
Slide 8
Title:Hellenic or Hellenistic?
Slide content:Pictures ofVictorious YouthandLudovisi Gaul and His Wifestatues
Narrator:Look at these sculptures. Are they Hellenic or Hellenistic?Dothey show emotion?Do they show an Athenian male or someone else?Hint:Notice the dress and hair of the subjects.Also, notice what, if any, action is happening in the sculpture.
Slide 9
Title:Hellenic
Slide content:
•Clothing
•Emotionalism
•Movement
Picture ofVictorious Youthstatue
Narrator:This sculpture is Hellenic.It is that of an Athenian male and his naked body defines his humanity.It displays a perfectly proportioned muscular body with well-kept hair.It is one of the few actual Hellenic sculptures still remaining.We have many Roman copies of this Hellenic sculpture.
Slide 10
Title:Hellenistic
Slide content:
•Clothing
•Emotionalism
•Movement
Picture ofLudovisi Gaul and His Wifestatues
Narrator:This sculpture is Hellenistic.This is another sculpture that is a tribute to the war against the Hellenistics and the Gauls.This sculpture commemorates the moment when the Gauls have been put on the defensive.They rush back to their camps where their wives and children are waiting for them.This Gaul warrior has killed his wife, because if the Greeks capture her, they will make her a slave.The Gaul is then in the process of killing himself rather than allowing the Greeks enslave him, too.Notice the clothing of both characters.The wife is in animal skins.The male is naked.The Gauls ventured into battle naked, so his only adornment will be jewelry.Notice the emotionalism of the moment.Notice how the sculptor makes the static art form of sculpture seem to move as the wife droops to the ground as she dies.This is Hellenistic sculpture.
The Greeks make great advances into sophisticated sculpting, but it is our first “giant”, Michelangelo, that makes sculpture a sublime art form.Interestingly, the great Michelangelo will go back to the Ancient Greeks for inspiration and copy some of their ideas.
Slide 11
End of presentation