Archaic Sculpture Abundant at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

The archaic sculpture abundant period (650-480 B.C.) is usually divided about 550 B.C. into early and late phases. Examples of Greek archaic sculpture abundant sculpture are abundant and of many materials, except wood because that has perished, both in relief and in the round. For statues in the round the "law of frontality" held as in Egypt and Mesopotamia. For figures in relief, which includes pedimental sculpture, the desire to represent things in their most characteristic attitudes was particularly strong during the early phase of the archaic sculpture abundant when a single figure was done part in profile, part in full face. It is reasonable to assume that the older traditions of Mesopotamia and Egypt influenced Greek sculpture of this time.

Baroque Sculpture.—Baroque sculpture of the 17th and 18th centuries, despite its essential architectural function, was replete with lively movement and pictorial in nature. Figures moved, flew, or were contorted in agony. Abundant draperies fell in tortured folds or were swept by the wind. Figures in histrionic poses were made more dramatic by vivid light and dark contrasts produced by pronounced undercutting or deep indentations.

The Ming and Ch'ing dynasties were a sad period for sculpture in China. The statuary of these periods shows neither the robust vigor of Han, nor the archaic sculpture abundant charm of the Six Dynasties, nor the mature self-assurance of T'ang, nor even the rococo elegance of Sung. The sculptor's art had degenerated into uninspired manual labor.