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Sculptors Who Have Inspired The Art Of Modern Sculpture
In the art world, the word “modern” can refer to the artist, the work of art or the style used that has been popular during the past century or sooner. Being new or young does not automatically mean that art is modern.
As time passes, an art can turn into a “classic” which signifies timelessness just like the Medieval, Baroque and Renaissance styles. This also applies to sculptors and sculptures.
The art of making sculptures is one form of art that has been in existence for hundred of years. Many have been coined as classics while others were tagged as modern. There are many modern sculptors who influenced a lot of today’s sculptures, paintings and metal wall art sculptures.
Constantin Brancusi (1876 – 1957).
Romanian born artist Constantin Brancusi called France his home. Brancusi refined the art of making sculptures as an art form instead of part of architecture.
He was mainly influenced by Auguste Rodin from whom he learned that a force from within a sculptures brings it to the surface.
“Corche” was created by Constantin Brancusi in 1902 and is still used by medical students in Bucharest. He has the reputation of providing an aura of mystery in his works while still showing the basic beauty of the sculpture.
Later, he concentrated more on the most basic form of the sculpture using a minimalist approach.
Naum Gabo (1890 – 1977).
Gabo was born in Russia but the sculptor later migrated to America. He lived in Norway during the first World War and it was during this time period that he was creating the ‘stereo metric method’ of sculpting.
The following years, the stereo metric method became a great influence in the art of sculpting even in today’s wall sculpture art making.
His first sculptures were the Cubist wherein he used the celluloid and sheet metal as his materials. As a sculptor, Gabo is very adventurous and experimental with his materials. He has known to use materials including plastic, wire and glass. This experimentation resulted to many great works and influenced today’s creation of iron outdoor wall decor, plaques and other art forms.
Ivan Mestrovic (1883 – 1962).
Mestrovic was a Croatian-American sculptor who drew inspiration from classic Greek styles as well as those of Auguste Rodin.
His work is usually somber and huge. Mestrovic’s work includes sculptures made from bronze, marble and wood. His interests in Yugoslavian folklore and history provided the inspiration for his main subjects, including churches and scenes from the Bible.
Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973).
One of the more popular artists, Picasso was first known as a painter. His paintings are now widely popular because of their originality and emotion.
Unknown to some, Picasso has also dabbled in the creation of sculptures and other forms of art. It was stated that some of his paintings were even influenced by sculptures. Picasso’s mythical style of painting was owing to his inspiration of Iberian sculpture. His use of Cubism was influenced by an African sculpture.
Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917).
Rodin’s works were viewed as visionary and he was a source of motivation to many artists. His work has gone on to influence many great artists that have ultimately shaped the face of modern art.
This Frenchman viewed sculpture making as allowing the shape of his materials to come out. He perceived his materials as objects that only required shaping in order to produce effects on the surface.
It was during a trip to Italy in 1875 that resulted to one of his greatest work of art – The Age of Bronze. Scholars surmised that he used a human being as a mold due to the fact that it was so realistic in form.
Today, many forms of art have been greatly influenced by these great artists. Although most people do not realize the fact, we have all brought it into our homes in one way or another.
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Constantin Brancusi