An assortment of hippo sculptures is available on 1stDibs. Finding the ideal
contemporary or
modern examples of these works for your living room, whether you’re looking for small- or large-size pieces, is no easy task — start by shopping our selection today. Adding a colorful piece of art to a room that is mostly decorated in warm neutral tones can yield a welcome change — see the hippo sculptures on 1stDibs that include elements of
gold,
blue,
gray and more. There have been many well-done artworks of this subject over the years, but those made by
Bjørn Okholm Skaarup,
Evert den Hartog and
Peter Brooke are often thought to be among the most beautiful. The range of these distinct pieces — often created in
bronze,
metal and
fabric — can elevate any room of your home. Not every interior allows for large iterations of these items, so small hippo sculptures measuring 5 inches across are available.
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.