Depictions of Death: Beautiful and Heroic. "Laocoon and His Two Sons" by Hagesandros vs. "Fall of the Damned" by Peter Paul Rubens

In this paper I will compare and contrast two pieces of art work that are religious in nature. Through these pieces, I will show a theme of depicting death as heroic and beautiful, though painful and horrific.
The first piece that I selected is a marble statue made in Hellenistic Greece (323-31 BCE.). It was sculpted by Hagesandros, Polydoros, and Athenodoros and is titled "Laocoon and His Two Sons." The second piece is an oil painting on wood panel made during the Baroque time era (1590-1750 CE.). It was painted by Peter Paul Rubens and is titled "Fall of the Damned."
The sculpture of Laocoon is from the tales of Homer. It deals with the Trojan War and, in particular, the fabled Trojan Horse. Laocoon was a Trojan hero and a priest. Upon seeing the Trojan Horse, he told the Trojans not to accept "the gift" from their enemies, the Greeks. …