Hellenic art celebrated the possibility of physical perfection. It offered an idealized version of the human form, one without blemishes, imperfections, or complex emotions. In contrast, Hellenistic artists produced works that were more genuinely naturalistic, displaying the human form in all of its diversity and adding an emotional element. While the subjects of Hellenic art often appear serene, even detached, in Hellenistic art we see the physical reflection of the subject’s life experiences and emotional state. Indeed, the subject’s inner life and outer appearance are portrayed as inseparable. The two sculptures included here are good examples of the essential differences between Hellenic and Hellenistic art. As you examine them, try to make connections between each sculpture and the society that created it. How would you explain the artistic shift that the two pieces represent?