The High Classical and Hellenistic eras are significant time periods in the history of art, in which various art forms progressed drastically. The evolution allowed artists to gain great recognition from the artworks they created, reflecting the artistic philosophies of those times. Compared to the masterpieces of renowned artists, this essay will analyze these two periods. In particular, the Doryphoros, sculpted by Polycletus, will be compared to the statue of Laocoon and his sons by Agesander, Polydorus and Athenodorus, natives of Rhodes. These two are great examples of artistic progression during their eras. Polykleitos represented the High Classic period by designing a naturalistic sculpture, while Laocoön and his sons constructed more movement in human form. The High Classical era focused on refinement and optical illusions to produce aesthetically pleasing proportions, which led to experiments with monumentality and space. This was followed by the Hellenistic period, during which artists brought the naturalism of body form and expression to a level of hyperrealism in which the sculptor's facial and body expression elicits an emotional response. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Some prominent artists were born in the High Classical era such as Polykleitos, who was a Greek sculptor specializing in bronze. He undoubtedly contributed to the advancement of art considering he developed a canon of proportion and is credited with creating a style recognized as classical Greek sculpture. A notable sculpture created by Polykleitos in this period was the Doryphoros. Idealized proportions and balance are what drew attention to this bronze sculpture. It has also been called an ideal image of masculinity (University of Cambridge). The artwork itself looks so simple and natural as its pose is slightly tilted and its details compared to the human body. The "S" motion throughout the body allows viewers to notice the muscle definition along with the veins running along the forearm. The original sculpture unfortunately no longer exists today, however a Roman copy in marble was created. The marble copy is easily recognized by the “tree trunk” on the right leg and the block of marble connecting the right wrist to the right hip (Witcombe). Marble is a weaker material than bronze, which makes additional features necessary. This artwork is an exemplary example of the High Classic era as it reflects the way men were viewed and the focus on the human body in the art of the time. During the Hellenistic era, there were also some artists who made significant developments towards art and humanism. For example, the creators of the sculptor Laocoön and his sons, Agesander, Polydorus and Athenodorus. It is based on classical mythology, like most Greek art. To be precise, this passage is related to a poem about the Trojan War, in which Laocoön and his sons Antiphates and Tymbreus are attacked by sea serpents sent by a god as punishment for having advised against the use of the wooden horse (Vatican Museums). This marble sculpture showcases Hellenistic fashion with its realistic depiction of movement and expression. Although it is an eventful scene, the story is beautifully portrayed through the detail of the emotions of all the family members as they try to free themselves from the clutches of the snakes. Artists began using facial expressions to convey a story and show feelings through an inanimate object. The Hellenistic period took High Classical art and forced it on you.