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 ancient Greek sculptors moved beyond stiff geometry to achieve the breakthrough of contrapposto—the dynamic weight-shift that brought stone to life.

Moving to the Renaissance, we analyze the era's renewed awareness of the perfected classical physique, before exploring how Baroque masters shifted from perfect forms toward realism and theatrical movement to evoke intense emotion.

Finally, we examine the 19th-century rebellion against academic traditions to explore personal expressionism and conclude with the 20th century’s radical deconstruction of the figure.

This course will be recorded.

Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.