Sculptures and Their Subjects

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Not surprisingly, the most important and widely emulated subject matter of outdoor sculptures throughout history has been the human figure. Next in significance, however, are animals and extraordinary creatures that have their basis in human and animal forms and combinations.

Other items such as architecture, still lifes, landscapes, and plants, moreover, have served primarily as accessories to animal and human sculptures and not as themes in their own right.

Why the Preponderance of the Human Figure in Sculptures?

Art historians focus on the emotional significance of the human figure as an object of desire, fear, respect, love, hate, and other positive and negative emotions. 

Psychologists and philosophers, moreover, make sure to emphasize the anthropomorphic or self-centered nature of humans as another major reason for the centrality of the human figure in sculptures.

In addition, art scholars give emphasis to the almost infinite variety and fine distinctions of expression and form that the human figure provides.

For instance, the nude or almost nude human figure played a major role in Greek, African, Indian, and Egyptian sculptures, while in medieval European and in ancient Chinese sculptures the human figure is almost always clothed.

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