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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;benhur767, post: 2436118, member: 36818&quot;]As others have noted, the animal-looking-back pose probably became a convention on ancient coins because the curved silhouette of the neck follows the curved contour of the edge of the coin. Simply put, it is good design. </p><p><br /></p><p>However, from an artistic standpoint, it is quite a challenge to pull off convincingly because it involves foreshortening and overlapping of forms. The result is much more visually exciting than a mere animal profile where the animal is standing with all four legs on the ground, tail straight down and head facing forward; children draw animals posed like that! It is boring and takes almost no skill. </p><p><br /></p><p>Classical Greek and Roman artists were interested in naturalistic representations of humans and animals. Judging by the coins I&#039;ve seen, most of the engravers were accomplished anatomists capable of rendering figures convincingly in a wide variety of poses.</p><p><br /></p><p>The animal-looking-back is a dynamic, realistic, and visually interesting pose that served to showcase the artist&#039;s skill and would have delighted the ancient viewer, just as it delights are modern eye.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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