A basic distinction is between sculpture "in the round", free-standing sculpture such as statues, not attached (except possibly at the base) to any other surface, and the various types of relief, which are at least partly attached to a

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One of the most common purposes of sculpture is in some form of association with religion. Cult imagesare common in many cultures, though

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The materials used in sculpture are diverse, changing throughout history. The classic materials, with outstanding durability, are metal, especially bronze, stone and pottery, with wood, bone and antlerless durable but cheaper options. Precious materials such a

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Worldwide, sculptors have usually been tradesmen whose work is unsigned; in some traditions, for example China, where sculpture did not share the

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Aniconism remained restricted to Judaism, which did not accept figurative sculpture until the 19th century, before expanding to Early Christianity, which initially accepted large sculptures. In

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Prehistoric periods
Europe
The earliest undisputed examples of sculpture belong to the Aurignacian culture, which was located in

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19th–early 20th century, early Modernism and continuing realism
• François Rude, a Romantic Jeanne d' Arc, 1852, Louvre
• Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Ugolino and His Sons,

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