Today’s sculpture often reinterprets the past Mr. Boudman Origins of Sculpture Today’s sculpture often reinterprets the past Mr. Boudman

A culmination of our thinking! Our thinking, expression and handiwork has been preserved in the form of sculpture. A natural impulse to work with three-dimensional materials: clay, wood, stones, and ivory. Each sculpture was made specifically for ensuring, fertility, good hunting, sanctuary for the soul and worshipping the gods. Today, sculptors have more freedom to choose a purpose for creating The choices of media is diverse

Origins of Sculpture Sculptural form permeates history. Sculptors of the past have reflected their cultures and influenced those beyond them, including modern sculptors. In order to understand our thinking better, a synopsis of sculptural history is necessary.

Origins of Sculpture Early civilizations relied upon group effort; individual sculptors remained nameless As time progressed , the sculptor became more individualistic, more important and more remembered.

Stonehenge A megalithic structure 1650 B.C. A forerunner to today’s environmental art Purpose was vastly different

Stonehenge Boulders 13 feet tall, stacked without mortar and placed in a 97’ diameter. Stonehenge was probably used as a sun worship or a large calendar. To a sculptor it evokes tremendous feeling of content – message or importance.

Egyptian Art Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the Temples of Rameses & Hatshepsut are well known examples of Egyptian art. Highly stylized poses, although there is much realism Hatshepsut 1490 B.C. Preserved well in stone

Greek Art Aphrodite from Milos (6’ 10”) 2nd Century B.C. Demonstrates the advancement made toward a more natural, realistic work of art. Ideal proportions Two pieces of marble carefully joined at the drapery line. Better known as Venus de Milo Sculptor unknown

Michelangelo Buonarroti 1489 A.D. at the age of 14 he became a student in a school of sculpture by Lorenzo de Medici where he learned principles of sculpture. He began to develop his personal belief that sculpture was the “noblest art” Individual artists were becoming recognized during this time period. Michelangelo created soul and spirit in his works.

Michelangelo Buonarroti The “Rebellious Slave” is a good example of the soul and spirit. During this age, sculpture was becoming more individualistic, giving the sculptor more freedom to interpret Michelangelo was ahead of his time reaching new ways to foster content

August Rodin (1840 – 1917) Academia refused to accept him as a sculptor Figures appeared unfinished or torn apart Influenced by Michelangelo “Walking Man” was scandalous, Rodin was a mutilator. Rodin’s Greatest known sculpture????

The Thinker

Rodin “The Father of Modern Sculpture”

Constantin Brancusi Rumanian, 1876-1957 "Bird in Space" is a synthesis of Brancusi's belief that "what is real is not the external form, but the essence of things." "Bird in Space" represents the essence of flight. A recurring theme in Brancusi's sculpture is that of the bird. His earliest sculptures on this subject were clearly derived from a bird's anatomy. Over a period of years, through elongation and simplification, all superficial likenesses to the bird were eliminated so that what remains is soaring form.

Alexander Calder Best known for his mobiles Eliminated solids, commanded space and used kinetic forms.

Alexander Calder Born in 1898 in Philadelphia, legendary American artist Alexander Calder began his career as an engineer. But art soon won out over engineering (Calder's father and grandfather were both sculptors). At 28, Calder moved to Paris, where he came into contact with the avant-garde scene. Drawn to both art and technology, he developed a uniquely individual style of sculpture. His often large-scale pieces have a buoyant, whimsical effect, and are painted in cheery primary colors. Often mobile sculptures, they combine Calder's love of art with his knowledge of engineering. His most famous works of abstract art entitled “Mobiles” were viewed as the most innovative sculptures of the 20 the century. After staging a series of successful exhibitions in Europe and the USA, Calder moved to France in 1956. He died in New York in 1976.

Henry Moore 1898 -1986 British Abstract Sculptor Moore’s work is one of space and penetration Creating negative space within the sculpture was one of Moore’s achievements Mostly Bronze but adept in Wood and stone

Henry Moore

Analysis Within the sculpture just presented, the fundamentals of sculpture can readily be seen. These fundamentals are: Technique Form Content To be Continued…