P Grotto Bust
19th Century Rococo Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
People Also Browsed
1980s Surrealist Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Statues
Stone, Cast Stone, Cement
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Sofas
Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century French Classical Greek Centerpieces
Bronze
Antique 1880s French Classical Roman Animal Sculptures
Iron
20th Century Academic Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
Antique 19th Century French Moorish Busts
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Academic Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Cabinets
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Romantic Sculptures
Marble
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Marble
20th Century Academic Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
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.