Leochares

Leochares was an ancient Greek sculptor known from a small number of historical references. He is generally dated to the late Hellenistic period, roughly in the 2nd century BCE, though exact dates and details of his life remain uncertain. Modern scholars rely on fragmentary ancient notices rather than documentary biography, and no securely identified works of Leochares survive.

Work and attribution: Because firm attributions are lacking, little can be said about Leochares’ specific compositions, subjects, or medium. He is mentioned in the broader literary and epigraphic record as part of the tradition of Greek bronze sculpture, but the sources do not preserve enough information to confirm a body of work or to connect him to particular statues or workshops. Consequently, many aspects of his practice, including stylistic tendencies and patronage, are unknown or speculative.

Context and significance: Leochares is regarded as a minor figure within the history of Greek sculpture. His name illustrates the breadth of Hellenistic artistic production, a period characterized by prolific bronze statuary and a network of sculptors across the Greek world. While details of his contributions remain obscure, Leochares contributes to the overall understanding of how Greek sculptors were named and remembered in antiquity, even when their works have not survived or been securely identified.

See also: List of ancient Greek sculptors; Hellenistic sculpture; Bronze sculpture in antiquity.

References: Information about Leochares rests on sparse ancient references, with no securely attributed surviving works.