Please read closely E. H. Gombrich’s “The style all’antica: Imitation and Assimilation.” (Attached)
Now study carefully the print, The Abduction of Ganymede (attached)
Take a look at the ancient Laocoon statue group (attached)
Having completed these steps, you will no doubt discern a certain analogy between the figure of Laocoon in the statue group and the figure of Ganymede in the print. Does this analogy constitute an imitation or an assimilation when applying Gombrich’s distinction?