Praxiteles was a renowned ancient Greek sculptor who lived during the 4th century BC. He is considered to be one of the greatest sculptors of all time and was a major influence in the development of Hellenistic art. His sculptures featured graceful, realistically proportioned figures and are noted for their lifelike quality. His works included statues such as Aphrodite of Knidos, Hermes with the Infant Dionysus and Apollo Sauroktonos. Praxiteles’ sculptures exerted a profound influence on subsequent generations of artists, inspiring later works such as Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne and Canova’s Cupid and Psyche. He is remembered today as one of the most influential and important figures in the history of art.
