Helenistic Art - Katherine Snovak
First of all, the Hellenistic period (which refers to the original Greek period, not to be confused with Hellenism, an 18th century revival of this type of art which goes with Neoclassicism) began in 323 BCE (the death of Alexander the Great) and ended in 31 BCE (Romans conquered Egypt). This period is mainly thought of in contrast to the Classical era, which it followed. During the Hellenistic period the Greeks expanded the subject matter of art. While Classical Greece valued the ideal in its art, Hellenistic Greece valued more naturalistic, personal art. So in contrast to young, beautiful, tranquil Greeks being the most popular subject of sculpture, sculptures of the old, ugly, angry, foreign began to be seen. The Dying Gaul is a good example of Hellenistic art trying to show a more personal level, than art before had. Architecture also began to change, as the Greek lifestyle became more cosmopolitan. Simple traditional temples began to incorporate eastern styles and became far more elaborate in plan.
The Dying Gaul
Source: Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, ed. 12. Ch 5. pages 153- 163.
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Cultural Map
"The Original Topography of Manhattan Island from the Battery to 155th Street" From Report on the Social Statistics of Cities, Compiled by George E. Waring, Jr., United States. Census Office, Part I, 1886. (Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas-Austin)
