From an ancient Roman ruin to Sotheby’s galleries on New Bond Street. You’re looking at The Hamilton ‘Laocoön,’ one of the most revered classical statue to have survived from antiquity, which stars in Old Masters next week. Here, Sotheby’s Specialists Christopher Mason and Alex Bell tell the story of this historic bronze sculpture, which depicts the final moments of the ill-fated mythological priest, Laocoön. The original version was first discovered near the ruins of Nero’s Golden Palace in 1506, and three centuries later, this bronze was cast in Paris in 1817. The sculpture is a highlight of the upcoming auction at #SothebysLondon and is one of only four surviving life-size bronze versions from the Napoleonic period. Today, it’s seen a relic that continues to coil through art history, enticing every generation that encounters it. ‘Laocoön’ will head to auction 1 July. Register to bid at the link in bio.