Quote from link below:
During the Hellenistic period, art became a propaganda tool used by various rulers to convey their personality. In order to gain respect from their people, these rulers had themselves depicted in certain ways to reaffirm their power and status. Alexander the Great knew the potential of these images, and commissioned Lysippos to create portraits of him. Lysippos was the only artist authorized to make Alexander’s image. Not only did he want to convey Alexander’s arete (virtues of society), Lysippos also wanted to depict his ethos (personal character). Two works of art demonstrating the Lysippan style include the Azara Herm and the Statue of Alexander with a Lance.The Azara Herm contains all the typical characteristics of a Lysippan prototype:
- turn of the neck
- slightly parted lips
- aspiring glance
- the anastole (flip of the hair)
These features separated Alexander the Great from previous rulers. They were new, innovative and engaging.
The Statue of Alexander is designed to represent the idea of political power. Here, the power radiates from Alexander himself.
http://archaeology.suite101.com/article.cfm/portraits_of_alexander_the_great
The more I look at the picture, the more life-like it becomes. What a marvelous piece of work.