Laocoon and his Sons 40 BC

"Laocoön and his Sons" is a Hellenistic marble sculpture depicting the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents. Created around 40 BC, the work was likely a Roman copy of a Greek original. The sculpture’s realistic portrayal of physical struggle and emotional anguish, through the contorted bodies of the figures, makes it a powerful and enduring testament to the human condition. The work is housed in the Vatican Museums, where it continues to inspire awe and admiration for its artistic mastery and enduring themes.