Modernist Sculpture

c. 1900–1970

Modernist sculpture broke away from realism and classical form. Artists explored abstraction, new materials, and spatial relationships. Sculpture became more conceptual and experimental. The medium expanded beyond traditional techniques.

Hallow Form (Penwith)

Barbara Hepworth

c. 1955–1959

A smooth pierced form invites light and touch, uniting landscape and abstraction.

Standing Woman

Alberto Giacometti

1948

A thin, textured figure seems eroded by space yet stubbornly present.

Scarlet Digitals

Alexander Calder

1945

A mobile of red “petals” that gently shifts, drawing shapes in air.

Jacob and the Angel

Jacob Epstein

1940–1941

Two intertwined figures struggle in rough-hewn stone, charged with spiritual conflict.

Reclining Figure

Henry Moore

1938

An abstract reclining body with voids and curves echoing bones and hills.

Guitar

Pablo Picasso

1913

A Cubist guitar assembled from flat planes—part sculpture, part drawing in space.

Head No 2

Naum Gabo

1916

A transparent, constructed head built from interpenetrating planes, not solid mass.

Sleeping Muse

Constantin Brancusi

1910

A serene, oval head reduced to pure, polished essence.