Laocoon and His Sons was discovered in 1863 on the island of Samothrace. Historians place the marble sculpture creation between 250 and 180 B.C. Currently Laocoon and His Sons is on display at the Lourvre, in Paris. However, it is also argued that the original was discovered in Rome in 1506 and has been on display in the Vatican since that time (Essence of Art.)
Laocoon is a character derived from Virgil's Aeneid. In the myth, Laocoon a priest, tries to warn the people of Troy about the immense danger allowing the Trojan Horse into the cities walls posed to the city (Vatican Museums.)
The gods who are on the Greeks side, punish Laocoon by sending Poseidon with sea serpents upon him and his two sons. The serpents wrap their long thick powerful bodies around the seemingly undeserving family. With a solid hold, one of the snakes bites its venomous fanged teeth into Laocoons muscular hip poisoning him. The eldest son looks directly to his right as the serpent bites into his beloved father.
His eyebrows scrunch and raise as his mouth opens half way as if he is going to say, scream, or yell something that would make the serpent stop, but he cannot and is left helpless. The youngest son on Laocoons right, appears horrified as he realizes his young undeveloped muscles were no match for the giant serpent's over powering strength, and his father was soon to be doomed.
Hellenistic is a modern day adjective which describes the period between Alexander of 323 B.C. and the final conquering of the Greek speaking world by Rome at the Battle of Actium 31 B.C. Laocoon and His Sons expressionistic style is characteristic of the Hellenistic period. One of the first areas to show change towards the expressionistic style was the area of portraiture. This meant the artist had to pay more attention to the small details which made up an individuals characteristics. The change to expressionism and individuality.
It has been argued by historians that the sculpture was created sometime between 50 B.C. and 250 B.C. In my opinion, the sculpture was most likely created closer to 150 B.C. that is at the bordering period of the High and Late Hellenistic period. Centrifugal forms were popular, and this newer style had had enough time to perfect itself. Sorrow, vein, expressionistic position were popular. However, as the late period ended, classicalism won, muscles and body structure appeared less defined (Hellenistic Period 323-31B.C. http://www.dal.ca/~claswww/1022notes3.html) Still inscriptions recently found at Lindus in Rhodes date Agesander and Athenodorus, two of the reported sculptors, to the period 42-21 B.C.