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Late 19th Century Figurative Sculptures
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Finding the Right Figurative-sculptures for You
Figurative sculptures mix reality and imagination, with the most common muse being the human body. Animals are also inspirations for these sculptures, along with forms found in nature.
While figurative sculpture dates back over 35,000 years, the term came into popularity in the 20th century to distinguish it from abstract art. It was aligned with the Expressionist movement in that many of its artists portrayed reality but in a nonnaturalistic and emotional way. In the 1940s, Alberto Giacometti — a Swiss-born artist who was interested in African art, Cubism and Surrealism — created now-iconic representational sculptures of the human figure, and after World War II, figurative sculpture as a movement continued to flourish in Europe.
Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon were some of the leading figurative artists during this period. Artists like Jeff Koons and Maurizio Cattelan propelled the evolution of figurative sculpture into the 21st century.
Figurative sculptures can be whimsical, uncanny and beautiful. Their materials range from stone and wood to metal and delicate ceramics. Even in smaller sizes, the sculptures make bold statements. A bronze sculpture by Salvador Dalí enhances a room; a statuesque bull by Jacques Owczarek depicts strength with its broad chest while its thin legs speak of fragility. Figurative sculptures allow viewers to see what is possible when life is reimagined.
Browse 1stDibs for an extensive collection of figurative sculptures and find the next addition to your collection.
- What is an angel chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023An angel chair can refer to one of two kinds of chairs. The first is a piece created by Fratelli Boffi, featuring a gold leaf-finished wood frame that has a curvy shape similar to angel wings. Another angel chair is a design by Brazilian artist Alê Jordão. Made from repurposed Volkswagen Beetle car parts painted silver, the chair features a dramatically curved back resembling angel wings. Explore a large selection of chairs on 1stDibs.
- What does an angel statue mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What an angel statue means is largely a matter of personal interpretation. Angels are often symbols of Christianity, and displaying them can represent a person's faith. Some people believe angels represent protection and safety. You'll find a selection of angel statues on 1stDibs.
- What is angel skin coral?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Angel skin coral is a type of light pink coral that actually gets its color from an albino-esque disorder, a defect of satsuma coral. The link pink color is a favorite amongst jewelry makers. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic angel skin coral jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers.
- How do I clean angel skin coral?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To clean angel skin coral jewelry, use warm water, mild dish soap and a soft cloth to wipe it down. Don't use scrub brushes or chemical jewelry cleaners, as they can damage the delicate coral. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of coral jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025The famous architectural photographer in Los Angeles is Julius Shulman. His photography spread California's mid-century modernism around the world and ushered in a new appreciation for the movement in the 1990s. Some of Shulman's architectural photographs, like the iconic shots of Frank Lloyd Wright's or Pierre Koenig's remarkable structures, have been published countless times. The clarity of his work demanded that architectural photography had to be considered an independent art form. Each Shulman image unites perception and understanding of the buildings and their place in the landscape. The precise compositions reveal the architectural ideas behind a building's surface and the visions and hopes of an entire age. A sense of humanity is always present in his work, even when the human figure is absent. Many of the buildings photographed by Shulman have since been demolished or repurposed, lending to the importance of his images. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Julius Shulman photography.
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How to Spot a Fake KAWS Figure
KAWS art toys have developed an avid audience in recent decades, and as in any robust collectible market, counterfeiters have followed the mania. Of course, you don’t have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where all our sellers are highly vetted.
A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
These Soft Sculptures Are Childhood Imaginary Friends Come to Life
Miami artist and designer Gabriela Noelle’s fantastical creations appeal to the Peter Pan in all of us.
Hideho Tanaka Carefully Stitched Together Pieces of Paper to Make This Sculptural Textile
The Japanese fiber artist’s ‘Vanishing and Emerging Wall’ may seem innocuous — but it plays with conceptions of time.