Laocoön, 1538
Hans Brosamerexpand_more
Engravingexpand_more
Gift of Elizabeth, Julie, and Catherine Andrus in memory of John and Marion Andrusexpand_more 2015.93.127
Not on Viewexpand_more
Rome was jubilant when the antique sculpture Laocoön was unearthed in 1506. Now in the Vatican Museums, the work redefined pathos. It depicts the powerfully muscled Trojan priest Laocoön (lay-ah´-ko-on) and his adolescent sons trapped by two deadly serpents worthy of filmmaker George Lucas. Apparently working from a written description, Hans Brosamer arrived at a less distressing, less majestic interpretation. The abrading between Laocoön’s legs may be the work of a censor who objected to nudity in pagan prints.
Details
- Title
- Laocoön
- Artist Life
- 1506 - 1552
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.93.127
- Provenance
- John E. Andrus III, Wayzata, Minn.; by descent to his daughters, Elizabeth, Katie, and Julie; gave to MIA, 2015. Earlier provenances have been gathered, but further research will increase our knowledge of their histories.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Bartsch 15 (vol. 8, p. 462); Hollstein 20; Nagler Monogrammisten III, 656, 2
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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