Comprendre la sculpture moderne et contemporaine : 10 thèmes à connaître
Un guide essentiel des approches révolutionnaires utilisées par les artistes des XXe et XXIe siècles lorsqu’ils redéfinissaient la sculpture de notre époque — illustrée par des terrains proposés chez Christie’s en mai
Left: Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966), Femme debout, sans bras, conceived in 1958; this bronze version cast in 1963. Bronze with brown patina. Height: 25½ in (65 cm). Sold for $4,043,000 in 20th Century Evening Sale on 19 November 2024 at Christie’s in New York; Centre: Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), Baiser, grand modèle, conceived circa 1882; this size in 1889 and cast in 2010. Bronze with dark brown patina. Height: 71⅝ in (181 cm), width: 43⅞ in (111.5 cm), depth: 44⅜ in (113 cm). Sold for $3,438,000 in Impressionist and Modern Day Sale on 20 November 2024 at Christie’s in New York; Right: Edgar Degas (1834-1917), Etude de nu pour la danseuse habillée, original wax model executed circa 1878-1881; this bronze version cast by 1928. Bronze with reddish-brown patina. Height: 28⅜ in (72.5 cm). Estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000. Offered in 20th Century Evening Sale on 19 November 2024 at Christie’s in New York
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Alexander Calder (1898-1976), Sumac VI, 1952. Sheet metal, wire and paint. 47½ x 52 in (120.7 x 132.1 cm). Sold for $8,575,000 in 20th Century Evening Sale on 19 November 2024 at Christie’s in New York
Common everyday objects first appeared in Pablo Picasso’s Cubist assemblages in the early 1900s and soon made their way into sculpture. In 1915 Marcel Duchamp made one of the most groundbreaking gestures in art history by designating relatively unaltered common objects as sculptures. This act challenged traditional notions of artistry and originality, positing that an artist’s choice and context could elevate any object to the realm of fine art.
Later movements like Surrealism, Pop and contemporary art, embraced prioritising idea over craft. Practitioners of these movements explored the object’s potential to evoke unexpected associations, critique consumer culture and invite humour, amongst other effects. Today, found objects remain a powerful tool in sculpture, encouraging viewers to rethink the significance of everyday materials within artistic and cultural contexts.
Why we love it: Marcel Duchamp’s found object sculptures are immediately provocative and historically significant as the first of their kind. Symbols of intellectual and creative rebellion, Duchamp’s work blends irony and cultural relevance, inviting viewers to question authenticity and beauty in art.
Names to know: Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Robert Rauschenberg, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Sherrie Levine
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David Smith (1906-1965), Lunar Arc, c. 1961. Painted steel. 134 x 48 x 18 in (340.4 x 121.9 x 45.7 cm). Estimate: $5,000,000-7,000,000. Offered in 20th Century Evening Sale on 19 November 2024 at Christie’s in New York
Why we love it: Whether it be an Alexander Calder gracefully floating in mid-air or the mechanical spectacle of a work by Jean Tinguely, sculptures that incorporate movement enliven any space with a sense of unexpected dynamism.
Names to know: Alexander Calder, Marcel Duchamp, Naum Gabo, Jean Tingley, Lygia Clark
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Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968), In Advance of the Broken Arm, conceived in 1915 and executed in 1964. Wood and galvanized-iron snow shovel. Height: 51⅝ in (131.2 cm). Sold for $3,075,000 in 20th Century Evening Sale on 19 November 2024 at Christie’s in New York
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Jeff Koons (b. 1955), New Hoover Celebrity IV, New Hoover Convertible, New Shelton 5 Gallon Wet/Dry, New Shelton 10 Gallon Wet/ Dry Doubledecker, 1981-86. Four vacuum cleaners, acrylic and fluorescent lights. 99 x 53½ x 28 in (251.5 x 135.9 x 71.1 cm). Sold for $5,132,000 in 21st Century Evening Sale on 21 November at Christie’s in New York
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As artists broke free from the confines of traditional art spaces throughout the 20th century, outdoor sculpture evolved beyond its origins in public memorials and monuments. Unrestricted by gallery walls, sculptors began creating monumental, often abstract, works. They used voids or barriers to frame or reshape the surrounding landscape, which became an integral part of the artwork. These larger-than-life sculptures brought art into direct dialogue with the environment and often with the public, fostering interactive experiences that encouraged viewers to explore space by moving through or around the work. Transforming public and private outdoor spaces into arenas for reflection and engagement, outdoor sculpture continues to inspire artists interested in environmental awareness and community involvement.
Why we love it: Outdoor sculptures create a captivating contrast with the natural landscapes they inhabit. Engaging the environment, these sculptures reflect light and cast shadows that shift with time and season, offering a dynamic, ever-evolving interaction with their surroundings.
Names to know: David Smith, Richard Serra, Mark di Suvero, Henry Moore, Anthony Caro, Barbara Hepworth, Isamu Noguchi