BRIEF HISTORY OR SCULPTURE

The art form of sculpting has existed since the prehistoric

age, with the earliest artists making use of materials such
as ivory and clay. However, for many people, they think of
the Egyptians or the Greeks as the initial creators
of sculpture. It is widely known that the ancient Egyptians
created a number of sculptures developed for both purely
aesthetic reasons, as well as to observe rituals. The early
Egyptians created sculptures of Sphinxes and Pharaohs,
some of which are still in existence today. In
fact, sculpture has often been used in religious practices
or to honor those who were highly regarded in religious or
political roles. The Greeks are also recognized for having
created beautiful and lasting pieces that demonstrate the
values of their time. Many of these pieces have proven
their capability to survive and are able to observe even
today.
Many of the most famous pieces
of ancient sculpture have been attributed to the Greeks.
Most often the pieces created were of people, especially
those in positions of power. While the Greeks generally
favored painting as the chosen art form,
the sculptures were the pieces that survived to be
observed and studied. These pieces were generally made
of stone (often marble) and hand carved using metal
tools or they were made from bronze. Bronze was
considered to be of a higher stature than the
stone sculptures, but not as many pieces lasted because
the bronze was often melted down and reused for other
purposes.

During the Middle Ages and Medieval periods, European

artists utilized sculpture to represent the Gothic and
Roman periods symbolized by religious architecture. The
cathedrals and churches displayed intricate works of art
and in some cases, provided a platform for sculptors to
gain notoriety and influence. In the latter part of the
Medieval period, many famous Renaissance sculptors
emerged. In 16th and 17th century Italy and France, the
baroque art style emerged and became the widely
accepted norm.
Neoclassicism emerged in the 18th century and was
characterized by a return to simplicity and restraint, a
direct contrast to the extravagant baroque style that had
been popular previously. This style of sculpture retained
its popularity well into the 19th century as well.
The modern sculpture of the 20th century provided a
break from the realism and traditional Greek style of
creating sculptures. Artists were influenced by work from
many different parts of the world, including Aztec and
African art. The modern sculpture movement also made
use of non-traditional materials to create pieces that were
not designed to last indefinitely (as it often had been in
the past) but only to use the best materials to represent
that piece of art for the time being. Modern
sculptures also began to use everyday items to create
pieces of art, known as the "pop art" style.
The current, contemporary style of sculpture is not easily
defined. Artists use a variety of materials and methods
for creating sculptures. Many traditional rules have been
lifted and the artist is no longer limited by the popular,
accepted style as they have been historically.