Man has always been interested in his image and likeness. Portrait sculpture touches us because it brings us face to face with people from the past and preserves the features, expression, clothes and jewellery of a time now gone. We can see the costumes of Pharaohs or Shakespeare, the face of beauties from history, and the true likeness of heroes who have been immortalised in stone or metal. The portrait sculptor is responsible for this and has even had an effect on our currency with heads on coins.

Sculptures provide an ethnographic record of our history and never cease to engage us because of the human interest. Some of the oldest known portrait sculptures are of Egyptians and they are found on tombs, but bronze sculptures have been found in the tombs of Chinese emperors, in Pompeii and around Mesopotamia. Early sculptures were made from clay and stone, but the discovery of the ability to smelt metal led to bronze becoming a popular medium.

The Industrial revolution enabled foundries to spring up all over the place and people desired to have their likeness cast in metal. Paris was a particular hub for sculptors in the 1800′s and the art form drew in people from far and wide to make use of the talents of the artists. Although the first portrait sculptures were only accessible to the wealthy or famous, they are now more widely available. However, they are still a luxury item as they require the skills of trained artist. Even today, the portrait sculptor is not out of business. In fact, we have not diminished our desire for portraits at all and they are still commissioned to honour and give public recognition to the dead, such as Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London. A sculpture of a fellow human helps to preserve their memory and honour them, and maybe this could be the reason for our enduring love affair with them.

Sculptures of great military figures in the parks of many cities are meant to inspire pride and patriotism in ones country. Sculptures of great religious figures found in churches are meant to create a sense of spiritual awe. Sculptures of great political leaders are meant to inspire people to achieve greatness. The sculptures of a society, because they often reside in accessible public places are seen by millions of people every day. They reflect society like no other type of art.

Sculpture like most forms of art is created with the idea of expressing a view. That view can be personal, political, religious, or other in nature. Invariably the view is meant to also meant to trigger an emotion in the heart and head of the viewer. Determining the quality of a sculpture is very difficult and is subjective as best. Artists as well as artist styles go in and out of vogue. But generally, any sculpture which can cause an emotion whether it is bringing tears to your eyes or joy to your heart can safely be considered art by most people.

A sculpture, even if not particularly distinctive in and of itself, can also be considered art if has influenced other major artist or art pieces. Paintings and sculptures also seem to attain “art” status as they survive the passage of time. That is why prehistoric drawings that you see in museums are treated as art even though they would not pass muster if an art student painted them today. Sculpture is a unique form of art – related to but separate from painting, music, poetry, and writing. Unlike the others, a sculpture is a three dimensional work of art. From its very beginnings, a sculpture was meant to last. Sculpture pieces were created using materials that themselves had passed the test of time – stone and marble, hard metals such as gold and silver, and wood.

One reason art is so hard to define is that artists, especially the creative ones, are often attempting to break the mold, to create something new. They want to create something unlike anything else around. And many times when that happens, the people of that time aren’t willing to accept the work as art. It’s just too far ahead of its time. Then later, if it lasts, people gradually begin to see the layers of complexity in it. They begin to understand and appreciate its meanings and nuances. Early and even some later Pablo Picasso sculptures are a perfect example of this. When Picasso’s 50 foot high untitled sculpture was first placed in Chicago’s Civic Center Plaza. Many considered it a monstrosity. Some newspapers panned it. And now, what was once so controversial, has become an undisputed landmark for the city of Chicago.