In addition to being one of America’s leading civil engineers, Robert Holmes gained considerable acclaim as a self-taught sculptor. His abstract and contemporary bronzes convey strength, grace, optimism and serenity and are reminiscent of the works of Auguste Rodin, Constantin Brâncuși, Gaston Lachaise and Henry Moore.
Holmes was born in 1927 in Missouri, where he grew up amid the Great Depression. He had an instinctive talent for design and, in his teens, helped his father build houses. Holmes later attended the University of Arizona, earning a degree in civil engineering.
In the early 1950s, Holmes moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he established the Robert Holmes Construction, Design and Development Company. He specialized in designing contemporary homes in the Bay Area before he relocated the business to Arizona in 1958.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Holmes was among Arizona’s most successful luxury home builders. His company also designed and built churches, banks, bridges, apartments and manufacturing plants.
In 1981, Holmes decided to pursue a second career as a sculptor and sold his business. With his wife, Edith, he moved to the Sea Ranch, a community located north of San Francisco. Over the next several years, Holmes worked with local foundries to create his sculptures but was dissatisfied with the process. In 1989, he formed his own bronze foundry — Bronze Plus — enabling him to oversee all aspects of production and forge relationships with other bronze artists.
Holmes’s abstract and figurative sculptures garnered attention from art critics and gallery owners across the United States. His semi-abstract and curvilinear works range from table-sized miniatures such as Pas De Tres and Dancers on Toe to large-scale monumental sculptures like The Game and Bull and Ball.
Holmes’s works have been exhibited extensively in the United States, Europe and Asia. His sculptures are in private, corporate and public collections, such as the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, and the Hyatt Regency in San Diego. He died in 2016.
On 1stDibs, discover Robert Holmes’s dynamic sculptures.
Arched Dancers 2 (Miniature) #11/40
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
$39,600
Tossa De Mar
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
Bronze A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-kno...
Bronze
Arabesque (miniature) - 24 Karat Gold plated
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Gold, Bronze
Reverse (miniature) - 24 Karat Gold plated
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Gold, Bronze
$2,500
H 2.7 in Dm 2.7 in
Double Sided Gold Plated Medallion (Limited Edition; Signed and Stamped)
By Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in New York, NY
ARNALDO POMODORO Double Sided Gold Plated Medallion, 1985 Bronze with Gold Patina 2 7/10 × 2 7/10 × 3/10 inches Limited Edition of 500 Signed by artist with incised signature; Stampe...
Gold, Bronze
$12,000
H 26 in W 20 in D 9 in
"The Man Without a Rod №3" Bronze Sculpture 26x20x9in Ed. 3/8 by Sergii Shaulis
By Sergii Shaulis
Located in Culver City, CA
"The Man Without a Rod №3" Bronze Sculpture 26x20x9in Ed. 3/8 by Sergii Shaulis Limited Edition 3/8 From "The man without a rod" series Approximate weight 77 lbs. The artist spent almost ten years of his life in the making of this eight-piece series. It is an introspective representation of what he calls absolute hopelessness. “It's about the emptiness of the soul, but it's also about starting anew; when you feel nothing but finding the power inside of you to stand up and move.” ABOUT ARTIST Born on 27 May 1985 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. From 2005 to 2011 studied at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, at the Faculty of "Fine Arts" specialty "Easel and monumental sculpture." Now studying postgraduate at Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts. Works are in private collections in Ukraine, Israel, Germany, USA, Australia, Finland, Holland, Spain, Belgium, England. Education 2002‑2005 Faculty of Engineering and Physics (NTU KhPI) 2005‑2011 Easel and monumental sculpture (KSADA) 2012-2016 postgraduate education (KSADA) Exhibitions 2007-15 City exhibition HONSKHU. Kharkiv. 2007-14 Ukrainian Exhibition KONSKHU. Kyiv. 2008-11 "The maestro and his students", KSADA. Kharkiv (Audience Award 2009) 2008 11 International Triennial of sculpture. Kyiv . 2009 “Male portrait”, gallery KSADA. Kharkiv . 2009 "You get SMS ", Kharkiv ( Grand Prix "The best sculpture project "). 2009 “Gogol-fest”, Museum Arsenal. Kyiv. 2016 "Corpus", Come in gallery, Kharkiv. 2016 KSADA "Loft", Kharkiv. 2017 “Art seasons”, M17. Kyiv. 2017 Gallery "Semiradskiy", Kharkiv. 2017 "Mundi contraria", M17. Kyiv. 2018 "More than sculpture", ArtUkraineGallery. Kyiv. 2018 “Auguste Rodin. "Premonition of the future...
Bronze
"Still Life" Bronze Sculpture Signed Phillips
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This monumental abstract sculpture stands on a pedestal at 67" high. Comprised of 5 large shapes, it is signed "Phillips '85" and entitled "Still Life". The bronze has a nice patina ...
Bronze
$12,011
H 30.32 in W 15.75 in D 9.85 in
Venus - Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art
By Stanisław Wysocki
Located in Warsaw, PL
Dimensions include base STANISŁAW WYSOCKI (b. 1949) Wysocki studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań (1978-1980) and then at the Hochschule der Kunste in Berlin under prof. J....
Bronze
$6,500
H 18.5 in W 71 in
"Eternity" Mixed Media Wall Sculpture 18.5" x 71" inch by Alfons Louis
By Alfons Louis
Located in Culver City, CA
"Eternity" Mixed Media Wall Sculpture 18.5" x 71" inch by Alfons Louis Wooden works with Mixed Media (Bronze) ABOUT THE ARTIST Born in Cairo 1959- Graduated from faculty of fine art (painting) Alexandria. In 1982 – Member of plastic art Egypt, member of Atelier Alexandria And member of Alexandria Work shop center...
Bronze, Copper, Iron
$4,203
H 12.21 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in
Yes! - 21st Century bronze animal sculpture of a orangutan
By Antoinette Briet
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Antoinette Briet (Dutch artist) Yes! 31 x 20 x 14 cm Bronze Antoinette Briet's sculpture can be called both a figurative and an abstract work of art. Her sculpted animals show their...
Bronze
$6,606
H 14.97 in W 8.67 in D 6.3 in
L'Eclatée (The Fragmented One), an abstract bronze sculpture by Lili Mirante
Located in PARIS, FR
Lili Mirante (Paris, 1966 – last picture in the gallery) is a woman artist who lives and works in Paris. Born into a family of artists (her father was a renowned watercolorist), she ...
Bronze
$14,293
H 21.66 in W 7.49 in D 6.7 in
Probe by Antoine Vidal - vertical bronze sculpture, dark patina
Located in Paris, FR
His works in bronze, very often marked by a verticality with totemic accents, reflect an aesthetic pursuit focused on the elegance of lines and forms, and where light plays a vital r...
Bronze
$12,011
H 41.74 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Maya - Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art
By Stanisław Wysocki
Located in Warsaw, PL
Dimensions include marble base STANISŁAW WYSOCKI (b. 1949) Wysocki studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań (1978-1980) and then at the Hochschule der Kunste in Berlin under p...
Bronze
$3,000
H 1.97 in W 0.79 in D 1.19 in
"Minimalist Seated Figure" Sculpture 5" x 2" x 3" inch by Sarkis Tossonian
By Sarkis Tossonian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Minimalist Seated Figure" Sculpture 5" x 2" x 3" inch by Sarkis Tossonian Sarkis Tossoonian was born in Alexandria in 1953. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts/Sculpture in ...
Bronze
$2,500
H 3 in W 4.5 in
Bronze Belt Buckle, limited edition in collection of Victoria & Albert Museum UK
By Anthony Caro
Located in New York, NY
Anthony Caro Bronze Belt Buckle, 1993 Bronze sculpted belt buckle. Stamped on the verso 3 × 4 1/2 inches Exhibition History: Victoria and Albert Museum, L...
Bronze
$6,500
H 2.88 in W 2.25 in
Vintage Abstract Expressionist Ibram Lassaw Modernist Bronze Sculpture Pendant
By Ibram Lassaw
Located in Surfside, FL
IBRAM LASSAW (Russian-American, 1913-2003), Sculptural pendant Gold plated bronze Signed verso Measurements: 2-7/8''h, 2-1/4''w. Ibram Lassaw was born in Alexandria, Egypt, of Rus...
Gold, Bronze
Arched Dancers 2 (Small) AP
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Arabesque (miniature) #3/40
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Dancers (Miniature) Turquoise Patina #2/40
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Solo (miniature) - 24 Karat Gold plated
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze, Gold
Solo (miniature)
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Pas De Tres (miniature unique)
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Pas De Tres (miniature, unique)
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Just Dancing AP2 (Medium)
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Mr. G, Small - High Polish
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Banana, High Polish
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Arched Dancers 2, Miniature, AP 2
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Solo, Small AP 1
By Robert Holmes
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze