The Ultimate History of The Entire World Through Figurative Sculptural Representation.

Abridged Version…

Part 1 Prehistoric Sculpture

Among the earliest known figurative sculptures is the Venus Of Willendorf. Discovered in Willendorf in Austria in 1908. The figure is believed to have been made between 24000 to 22000 BC.

It is believed to be a fertility symbol as large families and tribes would have been important for safety and effective food gathering. The Sculpture is only 12cm tall, making it portable for nomadic people to carry from camp to camp.

Part 2 Sumerian Sculpture

Sumerians were sophisticated city-dwellers and had time to contemplate the issues of religion. Their Funeral sculpture is believed to accompany the dead to the afterlife. Sumerian Statuettes, from the Temple of Abu, Tel Asmar, c. 2700 - 2600 B.C., Iraq Museum, Baghdad and Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.

The huge eyes were thought to be a gateway to the soul. Inanna - Female Head from Uruk, c. 3500 - 3000 B.C., Formerly property of Iraq Museum, Baghdad. (Now probably available on E-Bay.)

Part 3 Egyptian Sculpture

Like other civilisations, early Egyptian sculpture was formal and official. Subject matter was almost exclusively commemorating Pharaohs and their families. Pharoah Djehoutineper C2580BC

The Egyptians solved the issue of 2D (Relief) representation with a system of highly coded conventions. Sculpture in the round, however, did not change much throughout the Dynasties. Tomb of Ramose 1379BC

Part 4 Greek Sculpture

Aegean Fertility figures were highly stylised – looking more like modern than ancient sculptures. Aegean Fertility Figures between 3200 and 2000 B.C.

Archaic Greek sculptures were stiff and formal, resembling the Sumerian and early egyptian styles. Kore from the Athens Acropolis C500 BC Kouros, from Tenea. C550 BC

The Greek Classical period shows a very large shift to a more realistic and sometimes idealistic portrayal of the human figure. Strength and beauty of the human form were emphasised.   Discobolus (Roman Copy) 400BC

The Hellenistic period is hard to differentiate from the Classical The Hellenistic period is hard to differentiate from the Classical. These works idealised the individual and attempted to capture the notion of youth and strength in their design.  Incredible detail and expression are also features of this period. Athenodoros and Polydoros of Rhodes Laocoon and his sons c. 175-150

Part 5 Roman Sculpture

The conquering Romans copied a great many Greek works – in fact many of the Greek sculptures that remain today are the result of Roman copies. (The original Greek sculpture would have been nude but with the expansion of Christianity the Romans became more modest.) Hermes C400 AD.

The Romans were best remembered for their fine portrait sculptures The Romans were best remembered for their fine portrait sculptures. Leaders and noblemen were captured in stone initially but later almost every part of roman life was depicted. Portrait of Caesar C400 AD

The Roman Empire later became the Holy Roman Empire with the rise of the Roman Catholic Church. With religious piety, much sculpture was confined to funeral uses and the service of the church. Good Shepherd late Roman 370AD Marble Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus 359 AD

Laocoön and His Sons The statue is attributed by the Roman author Pliny the Elder to three sculptors from the island of Rhodes: Agesander, Athenodoros and Polydorus. 25 BCE

Part 6 The Middle Ages

In the Early Middle Ages sculpture was banned from churches for fear it would be confused with paganism. Sculpture in the later Middle Ages was used as decoration but simplified almost like the ancient Greek or Sumerian work.  The Western Roman Catholic church began using sculpture again around the 11th Century.   Jesus helping the poor C1000AD

Gothic sculpture advanced with it’s architecture Gothic sculpture advanced with it’s architecture. Fine huge churches needed adornment and sculpture was once again employed for its realism.  Saints C1400

Part 7 The Renaissance

Renaissance means rebirth - 15th & 16th Century Artists longed for the grace, beauty and skill of the Classical Greeks and Romans. Donatello’s David 1408-9 Michelangelo’s David 1501-4

Many people believe history’s finest paintings, sculpture and architecture were created during the Renaissance. The Creation of Adam from the Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel 1508-1512. MICHELANGELO Buonarroti (1475 – 1564)

The School of Athens 1510 - 1511 Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) 1483 - 1520 Portrait of Mona Lisa 1503 - 1507 (also known as La Gioconda) Leonardo Da Vinci 1452-1519 Renaissance Artists, like the Classical Greeks, believed in the power of the individual and were often successful in many areas.

Arguably the most notable Renaissance sculptor was Michelangelo Arguably the most notable Renaissance sculptor was Michelangelo. His studies included religious images, slaves, sarcophagi, and ornamentation. Michelangelo’s Pieta Shows Mary weeping over the body of Christ. St Peter’s Basilica 1499 - 1500

Michelangelo’s Captive shows the body emerging from the stone 1499 - 1500. Michelangelo’s Dying Slave and Rebellious Slave 1513 – 1516.

Part 8 Post Renaissance to Pre-Modern

After the Renaissance sculptors struggled with ideas of representation After the Renaissance sculptors struggled with ideas of representation. Bernini, the Baroque sculptor, created amazing artworks, inspired by the Church. Bernini’s The Ecstasy of St Teresa 1647 – 1652 Cornaro Chapel

Sculpture became more secular in origin Sculpture became more secular in origin. As cities became larger and wealthier, civic sculptures were commissioned. Vanvitelli, Diana and Nymphs 1752

While still realistic, Neoclassic sculptors increasingly referred to allegorical figures. (humans meant to represent virtues and emotions rather than real people.) Bertel Thorwaldsen , The Three Graces, 1817-1819 (Goddesses of joy, charm, and beauty. Daughters of Zeus)

Part 8 Modern Sculpture

As painters began to explore materials and techniques simply for the sake of art so did sculptors. Auguste Rodin, The Hand of God, 1898. Marble

Many sculptors moved away from traditional materials and subject matter, this Bronze has been painted and a real dress added. Edgar Degas, Little Dancer of 14 Years 1881

Sculpture became as much about form as it did about subject. Henri Matisse, Backs 1909, 1913, 1916, 1930, Sculpture became as much about form as it did about subject.

Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, 1913 Umberto Boccioni Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, 1913 Synthesis of Human Dynamism, 1913 (sculpture destroyed) Boccioni was influenced by the Futurists – he wanted to depict the human form in movement.

Alberto Giacometti (Swiss, 1901-1966) Group of three men, 1943-49 Bronze

Henry Moore (English, 1898-1986) Reclining Figure (1951) outside the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Keith Haring (American, 1958 - 1990) Untitled (Three Dancing Figures, Version B), 1989 Painted Aluminum45.7 x 62.9 x 54.3 cm