Loading Spinner

Figural Sculptures

Because of the durable materials used, sculpture is a medium that survives better than most other forms of art. It is this durability that has allowed sculpture to maintain such a strong influence on various cultures through many eras. Figural sculpture, featuring representational figures, has upheld a particularly strong influence because it has been prevalent for so long.

The popularity of figural sculpture can be traced back to Greek antiquity, which revered sculptures that were not naturalistic but instead idealized and geometric. Around 480 B.C., classical sculpture emphasized realism and encouraged the artist's reliance on observation. It was this Greco-Roman style of sculpture that capitalized on the potential that realism had in figural art.

Realism in figural sculpture remained popular for centuries until the latter part of the 1800s ,when Auguste Rodin's rough, unfinished forms gave way to modern sculpture that no longer upheld realism. Today, figural sculptures can still be seen frequently, especially in the form of large monuments and public artwork.


Quick Facts

  • Many of Rodin's most notable sculptures were criticized for clashing with the principal tradition of figure sculpture in which works were highly decorative, formulaic, or thematic
  • Three types of figures were most common during the development of Greek sculpture: the standing draped girl, the standing nude, and the seated woman
  • As Rome grew more confident during the reign of Augustus (31 B.C.-14 A.D.), sculptures of its leaders appeared in more high-minded poses, but never leaving behind the Roman sense of gravitas

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

The Thinker
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
The Thinker
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1750 Bids
Girl with Balloon
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
Girl with Balloon
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1750 Bids
The Thinker
Dec 31, 9:45 AM PST
The Thinker
by Abell Auction
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,8000 Bids
The Thinker
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT
The Thinker
by Grogan & Company
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
Girl with Balloon
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT
Girl with Balloon
by Grogan & Company
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
The Thinker
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT
The Thinker
by Grogan & Company
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,8000 Bids
The Thinker
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
The Thinker
by Tajan
Est: €200- €300
€1800 Bids
Girl with Balloon
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
Girl with Balloon
by Tajan
Est: €200- €300
€1800 Bids
The Thinker
Dec 31, 7:30 PM CET
The Thinker
by Tajan
Est: €2,000- €3,000
€1,8000 Bids
bp parity badge
OGGETTISTICA
Mar 05, 10:00 AM EST
OGGETTISTICA
by Eldred's
Est: $800- $900
$8000 Bids
bp parity badge
Antique Carved Old West Folk Art (7 pcs)
Jul 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Antique Carved Old West Folk Art (7 pcs)
by Eldred's
Est: $100- $200
$300 Bids
bp parity badge
Antique Carved Old West Folk Art (7 pcs)
Jul 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Antique Carved Old West Folk Art (7 pcs)
by Eldred's
Est: $100- $200
$300 Bids
bp parity badge
OGGETTISTICA
Mar 05, 10:00 AM EST
OGGETTISTICA
by Eldred's
Est: $800- $900
$8000 Bids
The Thinker
Oct 31, 8:00 AM PDT
The Thinker
by Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
Est: $200- $300
$1800 Bids
Girl with Balloon
Oct 31, 8:00 AM PDT
Girl with Balloon
by Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
Est: $200- $300
$1800 Bids
The Thinker
Oct 31, 8:00 AM PDT
The Thinker
by Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,8000 Bids
The Thinker
Nov 19, 1:15 PM CST
The Thinker
by Neal Auction Company
Est: $200- $300
$1750 Bids
Girl with Balloon
Nov 19, 1:15 PM CST
Girl with Balloon
by Neal Auction Company
Est: $200- $300
$1750 Bids
The Thinker
Oct 31, 4:15 PM AEDT
The Thinker
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD1800 Bids
Girl with Balloon
Oct 31, 4:15 PM AEDT
Girl with Balloon
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD1800 Bids
The Thinker
Oct 31, 4:15 PM AEDT
The Thinker
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD2,000- AUD3,000
AUD1,8000 Bids
Victorian musical children bronze statue
Nov 01, 1:00 AM EDT
Victorian musical children bronze statue
by DP Test House
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
The Thinker
Nov 01, 10:00 AM AEDT
The Thinker
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD1800 Bids
Girl with Balloon
Nov 01, 10:00 AM AEDT
Girl with Balloon
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD1800 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Figural Sculptures


Theodore Bruce

Theodore Bruce

NORMANDY AUCTION

NORMANDY AUCTION