In the winter of 1506, a Roman gentleman discovered something unexpected on his property. When two artists examined it, they offered an immediate identification. What was it and how did the artists recognize it?

Stew54

It would have been 'Laocoon and his Sons', recognised by the scholars who unearthed from its description in the works of Pliny. http://partners.nytimes.com/books/first/b/barkan-past.html Apr 14 05, 9:30 AM

lanfranco

Yay, Stew! The Laocoon, which may be a 2nd-century Roman copy of a Greek original, was discovered in a vineyard. Pope Julius II sent Giuliano da Sangallo to see it, and he took Michelangelo along. Pliny's description of the work had long intrigued artists, so Giuliano and Michelangelo were quite certain of what they were seeing. A colleague of mine is proposing that the Laocoon was a forgery by Michelangelo, but there are several logistical problems with this argument. We'll see if she gets it into print. Apr 14 05, 10:59 AM

gmackematix

Is this the argument she is making? http://dyneslines.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_dyneslines_archive.html Apr 18 05, 6:38 PM

lanfranco

Yes, Gmack, and, in fact, an article on the subject appeared in the New York Times today, April 18, 2005. However, people I respect think the idea is "noncredible," and I think I agree with them. I'd like a little time to consider the question. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/18/arts/design/18/aoc.html Apr 18 05, 6:57 PM