Both the Temple of Aton in Egypt and ancient Rome’s statue of Laocoon and his Sons showcase remarkable craftsmanship and ingenuity. The statue of Akhenaton, created between 1353-1335 BCE, remains an enigma as its artist is unknown. In contrast, Athandoros, Hagesandros, and Polydoros are credited with crafting the statue of Laocoon and his Sons in the early first century CE. Despite belonging to different time periods and cultures, both sculptures exemplify the artists’ exceptional skill and innovative approaches. These creators ventured into uncharted territories by employing inventive ideas and techniques to enhance their subjects’ magnificence.
The backgrounds, formal qualities, and original purposes of these two art pieces clearly showcase their contrast. These artworks are fascinating due to being created during a period of significant political, religious, and economic transformations. To grasp the significance of an artwork completely, it is crucial to analyze its cultural context. In the mid-14th century, Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (also known as Akhenaton) ascended to power and rejected the worship of multiple Egyptian Gods in favor of a monotheistic faith in Aton – a sun disk without gender.
He expunged the name of Amen from all scriptures and purged the temples of all mentions of other gods, angering the priests. He relocated the capital to a lower section of the river, which he christened Akhetaton, where he established a new city and sanctuaries. Together with the abrupt religious transformation, there were also drastic shifts taking place in the realm of art. The artists of that era intentionally rebelled against the conventional manner of depicting pharaohs and significant figures with flawless characteristics.
The 13’ sandstone statue Akhenaton displays the influences of the brief, rebellious movement in almost every aspect. Similarly, the marble statue of Laocoon and his Sons, standing at a height of 7’10 ?”, was also influenced by the contemporary events. It was during the time of its creation in 146 BCE that Greece became part of the expanding Roman Empire. As a result, there was a renewed interest in the Hellenistic and Classical style among the Romans. This led to a high demand for copies of Greek masterpieces and the creation of new statues in the Greek style by Greek artists.
The transformations occurring in Egyptian and Greek societies greatly influenced the artwork of Greek artists, allowing them to modify their creations slightly in order to better satisfy their Roman patrons. In the case of the sculpture Laocoon and his Sons, commissioned by Emperor Titus, there was a desire to revive the classical style. Conversely, Pharaoh Akhenaton wanted a more unconventional approach for his honorary statue. The artist assigned to create Akhenaton’s statue successfully incorporated eccentric elements within the formal qualities of the piece.
Akhenaton is portrayed in a typical frontal position, with his arms folded over his chest, clutching the Crook and Flail, which symbolize divine power. Although these elements are conventionally traditional, the feminine contours, plump lips, slim face, and droopy eyes are completely different from the masculine attributes usually bestowed upon previous pharaohs. This body may have been an attempt to establish a novel hermaphroditic style due to its frail arms, slender waist, protruding belly, broad hips, and thick thighs.
Art historians debate that this chaotic mix might have represented Aton, a genderless being. In contrast, the sculptures in the statue of Laocoon and his Sons can be easily identified as males. The sculpture comprises of three figures: Laocoon and his sons positioned on either side of him. All three are striving to break free from the clutches of serpents. On the contrary, the other statue only focuses on Akhenaton. The faces of Laocoon and his sons display agony and dread, which starkly contrasts with the tranquil expression of Akhenaton.
The two statues exhibit an evident difference in their depiction. The first statue portrays three figures with a strikingly natural appearance, giving significant attention to the contours of their muscles, facial features, and hair. In contrast, the statue of Akhenaton neglects these aspects and focuses less on portraying them realistically. Notably, the lower body of Akhenaton is wrapped in cloth that bears no resemblance to real material, while the other statue painstakingly captures the intricate folds and drapery of the fabric.
It should be noted that there is a significant time difference between the creation of the two works and that the accepted style over time became increasingly focused on making the subject appear more realistic. These artworks are clearly distinct in terms of their overall aesthetic, style, and original purpose. Laocoon and his Sons, for example, was intended to depict a scene from Vergil’s Aeneid, a graphic poem that narrates the mythological tale of the legendary.
Aeneas, who becomes the ancestor of the Romans, travels to Italy. This event occurs right after Laocoon warns the Trojans about bringing the horse into the city. Laocoon and his sons are attacked and killed by two sea serpents sent by the gods while making a sacrifice at the altar of Poseidon. The statue of Akhenaton is specifically designed for the Temple of Aton at Karnak. Statues like Akhenaton’s hold great significance in Egyptian culture as they serve as a final resting place for the Ka or spirit of the deceased.
Despite having different origins and purposes, both Laocoon and his Sons and the statue Akhenaton illustrate the significance of religion in their respective cultures. They convey the Greek belief in the supremacy of their Gods and the Egyptian emphasis on the afterlife. The serpents depicted in both statues establish a connection between them. In Laocoon and his Sons, these serpents evoke fear in viewers, symbolizing the Greek Gods’ control over nature. On the other hand, the serpent adorning Akhenaton’s headdress represents a form of worship, elevating the snake to a divine status.
I decided to compare the statues of Akhenaton and Laocoon and his Sons because they immediately caught my attention while I was flipping through the art history book. Out of all the Egyptian statues, Akhenaton’s statue stands out due to its distinctiveness and the unconventional depiction of the Pharaoh, which prompted me to delve deeper. I admire the fact that the Pharaoh was bold enough to defy long-established traditions. The Greek style of statuary has always fascinated me and it motivates me to try my hand at sculpting, aiming to create pieces that are even remotely as remarkable as theirs.
Laocoon and his Sons is an incredible artwork that gives the impression that the figures are capable of stepping down from their pedestal and entering our reality. The extensive level of detail in the facial expressions, muscle definition, and draping is captivating to me, and I could easily spend hours examining it. Upon careful examination of each element, I have unearthed numerous aspects that can only be comprehended through extensive contemplation and investigation. Initially, I was not aware that both sculptures incorporate the theme of serpents or that religion has a significant impact on both pieces.
While researching the cultures of each statue, I found numerous seemingly insignificant details that are typically omitted in regular high school history classes. A captivating observation is that the art from a specific region and era demonstrates both overtly and subtly the values and beliefs of a society. At first, I felt overwhelmed when assigned to write a five-page essay since I had never tried such an extensive and formal piece before. Nevertheless, once I conquered my inclination to procrastinate and started immersing myself in the topic, expressing my thoughts on these artistic masterpieces gradually became simpler.
I have realized that I need time to individually observe and compare each statue. This helps me form subconscious opinions. I enjoy art but not writing essays, so I was pleasantly surprised by this assignment. It was intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. I didn’t know how deeply you could analyze seemingly insignificant details. Moreover, after spending a significant amount of time observing each statue, my perspective changed and I began to appreciate them for more than just their aesthetic appeal.
Despite their initial differences, the statues Akhenaton and Laocoon and his Sons share more similarities than expected. These similarities can be seen in their backgrounds, formal qualities, and original purposes. Both sculptures were created during a period of significant changes for the artists, which is evident in their works. Undoubtedly, this Art History class is proving to be an intellectually stimulating endeavor.
