The High Classical and Hellenistic eras are important periods in art history, during which various art forms advanced significantly . The evolution allowed artists to gain great recognition through the artworks they created, reflecting the artistic philosophies of that era. When it comes to the masterpieces of renowned artists, this essay will analyze these two periods. In particular, the Doryphorus, sculpted by Polycleitos, will be compared to that of Agesander, Polydorus and Athenodorus, originally from Rhodes, the statue of Laocoon and his sons. These two are great examples of artistic progression through their age. Polycleitos represented the High Classic period by designing naturalistic sculpture, while Laocoön and his sons built more movement into the human form. The High Classical era focused on refinement and optical illusions to produce aesthetically pleasing proportions, which resulted in experimentation with monumentality and space. The Hellenistic period followed, during which artists took the naturalism of body form and expression to a level of hyperrealism where the expression of the sculptor's face and body elicited an emotional response. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Some prominent artists were born in the High Classical era, such as Polykleitos, a Greek sculptor who specialized in bronze. He undoubtedly contributed to the progression of art as he developed a canon of proportion and is credited with creating a style recognized as classical Greek sculpture. A notable sculpture created by Polykleitos throughout this period was the Doryphorus. The idealized proportions and balance are what drew attention to this bronze sculpture. It has also been discussed as an ideal image of masculinity (University of Cambridge). The artwork itself looks so simple and natural because its pose is slightly leaning and its details are reminiscent of the human body. The “S” shape movement across the body allows viewers to notice the muscle definition as well as the veins running down the forearm. The original sculpture unfortunately does not exist today, however a Roman marble copy was made. The marble copy is easily spotted thanks to its "tree trunk" on its right leg and the block of marble connecting the right wrist to the right hip (Witcombe). Marble is a weaker material than bronze, making additional features necessary. This work of art is an exemplary example of the High Classical era as it reflects the way men were perceived and the attention given to the human body in art at the time. During the Hellenistic era, a few artists also made significant strides toward art and humanism. . For example, the creators of the sculptor Laocoon and his sons, Agesander, Polydorus and Athenodorus. It is based on classical mythology, like most Greek art. To be specific, this piece correlates with a poem detailing the Trojan War, which shows Laocoön and his sons, Antiphates and Thymbraeus, attacked by sea serpents sent by a god as punishment for advising against the use of wooden horse (Vatican Museums). ). This marble sculpture showcases Hellenistic fashion with its realistic depiction of movement and expression. Although it is a busy scene, the story is beautifully depicted due to the details and emotions of all the family members as they try to free themselves from the grip.