The Human Figure in Sculpture

The representation of the human body is a defining pillar of the Art History Canon. This course tracks the journey of the sculpted form, examining how artists have balanced realistic observation with idealized perfection and expressive abstraction. We discover how Greek sculptors moved beyond stiff geometry to achieve the breakthrough of contrapposto—the weight-shift that brought stone to life. Moving to the Renaissance rebirth, we analyze the renewed awareness of the perfect form; and with the Baroque, we see the transition from perfect forms to realism and theatrical movement used to evoke intense emotion. We examine the 19th century rebellion, in which artists break with academic tradition to explore personal expressionism, and conclude with the 20th century’s deconstruction of the figure, leading to new ways of interpreting the human form. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.