The Broken Hellenistic Period Showcase

Artworks

• Nike of Samothrace (Winged Victory) (189) — The Broken Hellenistic Period Showcase During the Hellenistic period, artists made sculptures that were dramatic in emotion and sometimes position. In recent times, these sculptures were found and being showcased, each of them had a common problem. They were broken. These sculptures have broken parts that do not affect the expressive meaning of the sculpture. Clearly broken and from the same time period. The order in which the pictures are is how the statue is broken. The uppermost important part of the body to the least important body to be missing. Showing which statue has the part, then the next one shows how the statue doesn't. Dr. Amanda Herring connected this very well by saying that “It is intended to be viewed from multiple angles, encouraging the viewer to move around the statue, and through this interaction engage with the artwork physically and emotionally.” This quote stands out because for a person to see the emotion a broken statue is conveying, they would need to move around the statue to see every perspective. The first photo (Nike): The head and arms being missing don't affect the meaning of the photo. This is because the body shows enough expression to convey a feeling to the viewer. The head being missing could be a sign that the identity of the state isn't needed in this case. Second photo (Colossal): Half of the head is missing. However, it is not necessary to show the meaning of the statue. Some people may have an emotional connection to the statue due to the head being missing. Most of the brain is missing in the portion where the missing part of the head is. This could mean many things. Only the viewer can express their opinion about it. The Third photo (Venus): the arms being missing could show that someone wanted to see the complete body of Venus. This further demonstrates that one arm is missing more than the other. Since the arms are more fragile and probably extended outwards. The fourth photo (Laocoön): All of the right hands are missing. This is to show that the statues are weak since for most people, their right hand is their dominant hand. The left hand is far weaker. The fifth one (Nike hand): Having a few of the fingers missing is due to how fragile they were when it was crated. However, even if the thumb was the only one there, the viewer could still tell, based on the palm, that the hand is going outwards.
• The Fragmentary Colossal Head of a Youth (150) — With the hatred towards Rome getting worse, this script translates that rivalry well. This is because knowing what was happening during the time period shows that the person might be from Rome, and half of their head gone shows the hatred violently. This is shown in the sculpture well by the way the head is broken. Also, the way that it is broken had me first notice the lips, then slowly what is around the lips due to the lips being darker than the rest of the sculpture. This, to me, is a connection to how this individual possibly died, in their sleep or being choked to death.
• Venus de Milo (100) — The context of how the complete sculpture of the Winged Victory, showing only the hand, is great. Although it does only look like some random hand without the context. The battle that was won soon formed the sculpture, showing how proud the victor is of winning the war. This hand still shows meaning by itself, even though it is connected to the first artwork (Winged Victory). The hand is one of the many important parts of the human body. The hand is used as a way to express a person's emotion even if the viewer can't see the person's face or body language.
• Laocoön and His Sons (68) — The meaning that the original sculpture wanted to convey is a strong feeling. This is due to the snake being wrapped differently around each of the three people in the sculpture. There are also clearly different expressions being shown to simulate the feeling that each one of them felt due to the snake being around them. This still has a strong meaning in today's day and age due to the snakes and the fear the three men have. Many people have a fear of snakes, while others will attempt to stay calm and help others. Also, taking away a person's dominant hand can show weakness (if they aren't used to using the other hand).
• Nike of Samothrace (Winged Victory) Right Hand (190) — The context of how the complete sculpture of the Winged Victory, showing only the hand, is great. Although it does only look like some random hand without the context. The battle that was won soon formed the sculpture, showing how proud the victor is of winning the war. This hand still shows meaning by itself, even though it is connected to the first artwork (Winged Victory). The hand is one of the many important parts of the human body. The hand is used as a way to express a person's emotion even if the viewer can't see the person's face or body language.