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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

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ERTE "LIBERTY, FEARLESS, AND FREE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ERTE "LIBERTY, FEARLESS, AND FREE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$52025 Bids
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CHARLES BRAGG "COURT OF APPEALS" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
CHARLES BRAGG "COURT OF APPEALS" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$17016 Bids
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ANGELO BASSO "OVER THE WAVE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ANGELO BASSO "OVER THE WAVE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$22015 Bids
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ANGELO BASSO "PAOLO AND FRANCESCA" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ANGELO BASSO "PAOLO AND FRANCESCA" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$16014 Bids
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AFTER HIPPOLYTE FRANCOIS MOREAU MIGNON BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
AFTER HIPPOLYTE FRANCOIS MOREAU MIGNON BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$9514 Bids
Large C19th French spelter figure 'A La Fontaine' signed Math Moreau 50 cm high 23 cm wide
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
Large C19th French spelter figure 'A La Fontaine' signed Math Moreau 50 cm high 23 cm wide
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD500- AUD600
AUD24014 Bids
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AFTER EVGENI LANCERAY "ZAPOROZHIAN COSSACK AFTER BATTLE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
AFTER EVGENI LANCERAY "ZAPOROZHIAN COSSACK AFTER BATTLE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$15013 Bids
David Bromley, 'Leapfrog' sculpture in bronze, with COA 36cm H
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
David Bromley, 'Leapfrog' sculpture in bronze, with COA 36cm H
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD1,400- AUD2,000
AUD1,30013 Bids
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HENRI MICHEL ANTOINE CHAP "LA JEUNESSE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
HENRI MICHEL ANTOINE CHAP "LA JEUNESSE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$15012 Bids
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JOHN SODERBERG "HIGHWAYS" (EASY RIDER COLLECTION) BRONZE WALL SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
JOHN SODERBERG "HIGHWAYS" (EASY RIDER COLLECTION) BRONZE WALL SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$7512 Bids
David Bromley, 'Dove Boy' Sculpture in bronze with COA, 36cm H
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
David Bromley, 'Dove Boy' Sculpture in bronze with COA, 36cm H
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD1,400- AUD2,000
AUD1,40012 Bids
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ERTE "KISSING" SERIGRAPH
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ERTE "KISSING" SERIGRAPH
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$5510 Bids
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ERTE "TRIUMPH" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ERTE "TRIUMPH" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$20010 Bids
Antique painted plaster figure of a Nun with glass eyes stamped LL Statue Religieuse Paris, 85 cm high
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
Antique painted plaster figure of a Nun with glass eyes stamped LL Statue Religieuse Paris, 85 cm high
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD500- AUD800
AUD30010 Bids
Awesome Leonardo Da Vinci Vitruvian Man Wall Sculpture
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
Awesome Leonardo Da Vinci Vitruvian Man Wall Sculpture
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$1409 Bids
Paar Marmorskulpturen: 1 x Knabe mit Vogel (65 x 23 x 20 cm) und 1 x Mädchen mit Nest (65 x 21 x 26
Feb 22, 10:00 AM CET
Paar Marmorskulpturen: 1 x Knabe mit Vogel (65 x 23 x 20 cm) und 1 x Mädchen mit Nest (65 x 21 x 26
by Auktionshaus Mars
Est: €0- €0
€4208 Bids
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ERTE "ZOBEIDE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ERTE "ZOBEIDE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$1108 Bids
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FERDINANDO VICHI VENUS DE MILO MARBLE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
FERDINANDO VICHI VENUS DE MILO MARBLE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$1308 Bids
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ERTE "ANGEL" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ERTE "ANGEL" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$4208 Bids
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ERTE "IBIS" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ERTE "IBIS" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$5408 Bids
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JUAN CLARA AYATS YOUNG GIRL ON A STOOL BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
JUAN CLARA AYATS YOUNG GIRL ON A STOOL BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$608 Bids
Awesome Boris Vallejo Inspired Medusa Statute
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
Awesome Boris Vallejo Inspired Medusa Statute
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$557 Bids
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STEVEN P. SCHNEIDER "FREEDOM" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
STEVEN P. SCHNEIDER "FREEDOM" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$757 Bids
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ERTE "TANAGRA" BRONZE SCULPTURE
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
ERTE "TANAGRA" BRONZE SCULPTURE
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$1907 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Figural Sculptures


De Vuyst

De Vuyst

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.

De Francesco Casa D'Aste e Galleria

De Francesco Casa D'Aste e Galleria

Robinhood Auctions

Robinhood Auctions