Laocoon and His Sons

1520

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Renaissance Renaissance Mythology heracles

Dominant colour

Laocoon and His Sons is a 1520 by Nicolas Beatrizet, a Renaissance work, depicting heracles, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Nicolas Beatrizet
When & what style?: 1520 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This print shows a man with curly hair and a muscular body twisting in pain, his arms raised. Two boys cling to him, their faces tight with fear. A giant snake coils around his legs, its head turning toward the man’s face. The scene is in black and white, with sharp lines and deep shadows. The man’s name is Laocoön, a priest from Greek myth who warned his people about a wooden horse. The snake is actually two sea serpents sent by the gods to punish him. Look up Renaissance to see how artists like Beatrizet brought ancient stories to life.