Marble Busts

Over the years, a variety of materials have been employed by sculptors. Along with bronze, etched wood, and clay, marble is becoming more popular for sculpture. A wide range of important art trends and styles have been influenced by marble statues. This method was employed to create images of mythical beings and humans in ancient Mesopotamia.

Granite and limestone were just two of the various stones used by the Egyptians to create their statues. They did, however, sculpt pharaohs, gods, and guardians out of marble for tombs or temples on occasion. Egyptian marble busts have basic designs reminiscent of early Mesopotamian art. Figures were shown as flat outlines rather than actual and detailed figures. Sculptors began to pay more attention to marble throughout the Greek Archaic Art Period. However, the archaic marble busts that were being auctioned off at the time were not at all lifelike. Marble statues were more realistic than busts from past eras despite the lack of expressions and movement in their poses. The Classical Period in Greece saw a rise in the popularity of antique and vintage marble busts for online auction sales. During this time, artisans continued to produce lifelike busts with intricate embellishments.

Marble Busts Quick facts:

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has a marble bust portrait of a man dating from the middle of the first century.
• Marble is a metamorphic rock that is primarily composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals.