Two Male Heads after the Antique, the Sons of Laocoön c. 1605

Hendrick Goltzius rendered these two heads of Laocoön’s sons in red chalk, capturing their agony as described by Virgil. Laocoön, the Trojan priest who warned against accepting the Trojan Horse, and his sons, were attacked by snakes sent by the gods. The upward gaze and open mouths are not merely physical suffering, but represent a profound psychological torment. Consider the recurrence of this motif throughout art history, such as in the Hellenistic sculpture of the same subject, or even in the expressions of saints in Baroque paintings. This specific gesture carries with it a legacy of human suffering and divine retribution, echoing through time. These shared expressions and compositions engage us on a subconscious level, reminding us of the universal themes of suffering, fate, and the human condition. This is the after-life of images! Note how this motif has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.