Many forms of art are meant to persuade. Government buildings, public monuments, television commercials, and film all use the power of art to influence people’s opinions and actions.
Classical Greek sculpture often fulfills this function by presenting humans idealized, in the prime of life and engaged in serious pursuits. The Charioteer for example, is intended to inspire: He has won the race, but he remains alertly calm rather than jubilant…portraiture was rare in ancient Greece- because real people are too often imperfect in their looks and fallible in their deeds. Rather, classical Greek sculpture portrays an ideal of self with perfect restraint.
Frank, P., & Preble, D. (2011). Prebles’ artforms (11th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Prentice Halll.