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Nude Sculpture

In a similar way to animal or abstract sculpture, nude sculpture is a distinct art genre that depicts humans figures unclothed. Nonetheless, traditional nude figures were often partially clothed with cleverly placed drapery with their genitals covered. Nude art does not necessarily translate as a representation of sheer nakedness and a complete absence of clothing but it does need to have an marked interested in portraying the human body.

Although nude art was only recognised by art critics as a genre of its own in the 20th century, it is one of the oldest forms of art known to date. Made in 24,000 BCE, the Venus of Willendorf is an early example of nude sculpture. The fact that it is not a realistic representation of the female figure is irrelevant. The exaggerated chest and stomach may allude to a certain feminine beauty ideal or may be interpreted as symbols of fertility.

In Europe and the Middle East, a nude artistic tradition started to develop. Egyptian and Greco-Roman sculptures are certainly some of the most memorable works from this period of art history, many of which can be seen today at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Greek nudes first started to emerge during the 6th century BCE and focused essentially on portraying a certain ideal standard of beauty. Gods, heroes and athletes were all favourite subject choices for sculptors who sometimes depicted them on a monumental scale. Throughout art history, the nude has been used to symbolise the canons of beauty of a particular period. In contrast to the Venus of Willendorf, the figures represented in Greek marble sculptures are a much more realistic representation of the proportions of the human body. However, they still adhere to rather strict artistic codes about human representation and the notion of the ideal body. The sculptures continued to depict an ideal standard of beauty, albeit one based more closely on true human nature.

The Roman Empire soon developed a taste for nude sculpture and began a long tradition of copying Greek sculptures for mainly decorative purposes. For quite some time after, the rising influence of Christianity brought the development of nude sculpture to a standstill. It wasn’t until the Italian Renaissance that nude sculpture became a prestigious art form once again. Artists began to rediscover a form of artistic expression that allowed them to interpret beauty and glorify mankind.

Famous artists such as Bernini, Benvenuto Cellini or Michelangelo often chose mythological or biblical subjects as a pretext to study and explore human anatomy, creating as a result some of the most important masterpieces of Western art.

Their works contributed to the creation of a canon that dominated the artistic scene until the end of the 19th century when a new wave of sculptors announced the advent of modern art, a movement that was no longer interested in representing the model realistically but was more concerned about the expressive meaning of the work. The work of Auguste Rodin and of Alberto Giacometti are notable examples of the break away from realistic neo classical nude sculpture.

To get a better idea of current trends in nude sculpture, have a look at the works of contemporary artists such as Jenny Verplanke, de Jean-François Lemaire and Cade.

Collector’s Guide: Collecting Sculptures

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Evfrosina Fros, i-Ya (metal), Sculpture

Evfrosina Fros

i-Ya (metal), 2021
15 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch
Sculpture

$10,000

Valérie Hadida, Brindille, 2, Sculpture

Valérie Hadida

Brindille, 2, 2021
9.8 x 3.9 x 3.1 inch
Sculpture

$2,387

Valérie Hadida, Brindille,1, Sculpture

Valérie Hadida

Brindille,1, 2021
9.1 x 2 x 4.3 inch
Sculpture

$2,387

Martín Duque, Nu Homme Grand Bronze, Sculpture

Martín Duque

Nu Homme Grand Bronze, 2002
12.4 x 14.6 x 10.8 inch
Sculpture

$1,482

Martín Duque, Femme Nue Grand Bronze, Sculpture

Martín Duque

Femme Nue Grand Bronze, 2002
14.4 x 19.5 x 11.4 inch
Sculpture

$1,482

Martín Duque, Nu Groupé Grand Bronze, Sculpture

Martín Duque

Nu Groupé Grand Bronze, 2006
12.4 x 13 x 6.7 inch
Sculpture

$1,369

William David, Livia, Sculpture

William David

Livia, 2021
29.9 x 16.5 x 10.2 inch
Sculpture

$1,696

Our recommendations Bruno Ouvier, #26, Sculpture

Bruno Ouvier

#26, 2021
27.6 x 47.2 x 7.9 inch
Sculpture

$10,677

Catherine de Kerhor, L'Envolée, Sculpture

Catherine de Kerhor

L'Envolée, 2021
63 x 21.7 x 21.7 inch
Sculpture

$8,416

Catherine de Kerhor, Saturne, Sculpture

Catherine de Kerhor

Saturne, 2021
17.3 x 16.1 x 3.9 inch
Sculpture

$5,056

Catherine de Kerhor, Comme une plume, Sculpture

Catherine de Kerhor

Comme une plume, 2021
19.3 x 19.3 x 11.4 inch
Sculpture

$5,056

Valérie Hadida, Brindille 1 - 2/8, Sculpture

Valérie Hadida

Brindille 1 - 2/8, 2021
9.4 x 3.9 x 2.6 inch
Sculpture

$2,387

Valerie Marty, El Bolso, Sculpture

Valerie Marty

El Bolso, 2021
20.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch
Sculpture

$1,696

Valerie Marty, Tia, Sculpture

Valerie Marty

Tia, 2021
30.7 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch
Sculpture

$2,135

Valerie Marty, Tia, Sculpture

Valerie Marty

Tia, 2021
50.4 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch
Sculpture

$5,276

Valerie Marty, Anfitriona, Sculpture

Valerie Marty

Anfitriona, 2021
50.4 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch
Sculpture

$5,276

Alquimiamc, Red fancy meal, Sculpture

Alquimiamc

Red fancy meal, 2020
23.2 x 64.2 x 27.2 inch
Sculpture

$28,000

Alquimiamc, White fancy meal, Sculpture

Alquimiamc

White fancy meal, 2020
23.2 x 64.2 x 27.2 inch
Sculpture

$28,000

Gaspard Mitz, I can explain !, Sculpture

Gaspard Mitz

I can explain !, 2021
9.4 x 13.4 x 2.4 inch
Sculpture

Sold

Gaspard Mitz, Not too Short !, Sculpture

Gaspard Mitz

Not too Short !, 2021
9.4 x 13.4 x 2.4 inch
Sculpture

$816

Gaspard Mitz, OdaliX, Sculpture

Gaspard Mitz

OdaliX, 2021
9.4 x 13.4 x 2.4 inch
Sculpture

$816

Gaspard Mitz, Beauty and the beast, Sculpture

Gaspard Mitz

Beauty and the beast, 2021
9.4 x 13.4 x 2.4 inch
Sculpture

$816

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 56 n° 2/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 56 n° 2/8, 2020
1.8 x 3.9 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Olivier Messas, Les 3 frères... (Terre d'enfants), Sculpture

Olivier Messas

Les 3 frères... (Terre d'enfants), 2021
9.1 x 5.9 x 6.3 inch
Sculpture

$3,140

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 51 Original n° 2/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 51 Original n° 2/8, 2020
3.1 x 2.8 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 58 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 58 Original n° 8/8, 2020
2 x 3.9 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Olivier Messas, La bande de copains (Terre d'enfants), Sculpture

Olivier Messas

La bande de copains (Terre d'enfants), 2021
9.1 x 5.9 x 6.3 inch
Sculpture

$3,140

Olivier Messas, Les amoureux (Terre d'enfants), Sculpture

Olivier Messas

Les amoureux (Terre d'enfants), 2021
9.1 x 5.9 x 6.3 inch
Sculpture

$3,140

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 45 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 45 Original n° 8/8, 2020
1.2 x 4.3 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 43 Original n° 4/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 43 Original n° 4/8, 2020
1.6 x 1.6 x 2.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 59 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 59 Original n° 8/8, 2020
3.5 x 1.6 x 2.4 inch
Sculpture

$440

Our recommendations Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 57 Original n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 57 Original n° EA II/IV, 2020
3.3 x 1.2 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 56 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 56 Original n° 8/8, 2020
1.8 x 3.9 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 52 Original n° 5/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 52 Original n° 5/8, 2020
1 x 4.1 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 51 Original n° 4/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 51 Original n° 4/8, 2020
3.1 x 2.8 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 50 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 50 Original n° 8/8, 2020
3 x 2.2 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 43 Original n°2/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 43 Original n°2/8, 2020
1.6 x 1.6 x 2.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 53 Original n° 2/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 53 Original n° 2/8, 2020
3.1 x 2.4 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 50 Original n° 2/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 50 Original n° 2/8, 2020
3 x 2.2 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, Daenerys n°5/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

Daenerys n°5/8, 2020
13.8 x 11 x 17.7 inch
Sculpture

$15,073

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 55 n° 4/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 55 n° 4/8, 2020
2.4 x 2 x 2.6 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 55 n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 55 n° EA II/IV, 2020
2.4 x 2 x 2.6 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 52 n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 52 n° EA II/IV, 2020
1 x 4.1 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Maxime Buhler, Jeunesse / Youth, Sculpture

Maxime Buhler

Jeunesse / Youth, 1988
7.1 x 2 x 1.6 inch
Sculpture

$6,155

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 58 Original n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 58 Original n° EA II/IV, 2020
2 x 3.9 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 49 Original n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 49 Original n° EA II/IV, 2020
1.2 x 2.4 x 3.9 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 53 Original n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 53 Original n° EA II/IV, 2020
3.1 x 2.4 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 52 Original n° EA I/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 52 Original n° EA I/IV, 2020
1 x 4.1 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 50 Original n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 50 Original n° EA II/IV, 2020
3 x 2.2 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 49 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 49 Original n° 8/8, 2020
1.2 x 2.4 x 3.9 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 49 Original n° 4/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 49 Original n° 4/8, 2020
1.2 x 2.4 x 3.9 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 42 Original n°8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 42 Original n°8/8, 2020
2.8 x 2 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 55 Original n° EA I/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 55 Original n° EA I/IV, 2020
2.4 x 2 x 2.6 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 53 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 53 Original n° 8/8, 2020
3.1 x 2.4 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 49 Original n° 5/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 49 Original n° 5/8, 2020
1.2 x 2.4 x 3.9 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 45 Original n° 4/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 45 Original n° 4/8, 2020
1.2 x 4.3 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 43 Original n° 5/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 43 Original n° 5/8, 2020
1.6 x 1.6 x 2.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 42 Original n° EA I/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 42 Original n° EA I/IV, 2020
2.8 x 2 x 1.6 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 41 Original n° 8/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 41 Original n° 8/8, 2020
3 x 1.6 x 1.6 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 49 Original n° 3/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 49 Original n° 3/8, 2020
1.2 x 2.4 x 3.9 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 47 Original n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 47 Original n° EA II/IV, 2020
3.1 x 1.2 x 2 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 46 Original n° 4/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 46 Original n° 4/8, 2020
3.1 x 1.6 x 2.4 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 45 Original n° 5/8, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 45 Original n° 5/8, 2020
1.2 x 4.3 x 1.8 inch
Sculpture

$440

Sébastien Langloÿs, JoŸau 42 Original n° EA II/IV, Sculpture

Sébastien Langloÿs

JoŸau 42 Original n° EA II/IV, 2020
2.8 x 2 x 1.6 inch
Sculpture

$440

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