Laokoon and his sons attacked by Serpents; Art Institute 1887 - 1893

This stereograph shows a plaster cast of the Laocoön sculpture, taken by Henry Hamilton Bennett sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, while on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. Bennett created this image during a period of intense cultural change in America, when photography was becoming more accessible. Stereographs like this one democratized access to art. They allowed viewers to experience famous artworks in a personal, intimate way, right in their own homes. The Laocoön sculpture itself embodies a narrative of suffering and divine retribution. In Greek mythology, Laocoön was a Trojan priest who warned against accepting the Trojan Horse. The gods, favoring the Greeks, sent serpents to kill him and his sons. This photograph captures the emotional intensity of that moment, highlighting themes of power, fate, and the human condition. The sculpture is staged among other statues, hinting at an attempt to recreate a European Grand Tour experience for American audiences.