The Connection between two masterpieces across the centuries
Laocoön and his Sons is a masterpiece from centuries past and is now at the Vatican Museum. Discovered buried in Rome in 1506, Pope Julius sent every person he had to recover it, Michelangelo would arrive also. The sculpture‘s origins are not fully known, but it was described as near perfect by Roman historian Pliny.
The statue depicts the Trojan Priest, Laocoon who is being attacked by a sea serpent sent by the Greek Gods for trying to expose that the Trojan horse was a trap. The serpent blinded Laocoon, and killed the two boys. The sculpture is famous for depicting agony but with no moral underlying story like in Christianity’s stories.
The face of agony
The statue is located at the outside of the Museum and is a very popular spot. I had to jostle for position and only got a few decent photos.
The crowd at Laocoon
So the story begins with the Trojan horse, and we know how it ends. The Greeks enter the city, unlock the gates, and burn Troy to the ground. So which master would take on the second connection. None other than Bernini.
The Aeneas Group at the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
Aeneas above is depicted leaving the burning Troy with his father, Anchises on his shoulders with his young son Ascanius walking behind. In the course of a few days the story is completed.
Aeneas would go on to visit Italy and was instrumental to the founding of Rome. He is hailed as starting the lineage that would rule the mighty city. Aeneas‘ mother was the Goddess Aphrodite he is depicted in the sculpture with a lion skin to denote his heritage.
Aeneas shown with a godly lion skin.
The Trojan War produced two remarkable sculptures separated by over a thousand years. The lines to see each are very long. I recommend going to the Vatican Museum with a pre purchased ticket as early as possible. The ticket for Borghese should be purchased months in advance. I was lucky to get in by myself for only one hour. You need the two hour regular ticket to adequately see the wonderful artworks and masterpieces.
The heroes begin their trek.
Thank you for reading. I really appreciate your support.
AO