Sculpture Meaning
/ˈskʌlpt͡ʃɚ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA three-dimensional work of art created by shaping malleable objects and letting them harden or by chipping away pieces from a rock (sculpting).
nounMore generally (since modernism), a three-dimensional work of art of any material or of mixed materials, whether sculpted, assembled, found, constructed or created using multiple techniques.
Sentence Examples
I really can't understand modern sculpture.
He went to art school to study painting and sculpture.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The museum's new ____ was carved from a single piece of marble.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The museum's centerpiece was a bronze ____ depicting a figure in motion.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English sculpture, from Old French sculpture, from Latin sculptūra (“sculpture”), from sculpō (“to cut out, to carve in stone”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"There, too, in living sculpture, might be seen / The mad affection of the Cretan queen."
— 1697, Virgil, “The Sixth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"Whereas upon the humble Requeſt of Our Truſty and Wel-beloved Servant, JOHN OGILBY, Eſquire, We were Graciouſly pleaſed by Our Warrant of the 25. of May, in the ſeventeenth Year of Our Reign, to grant him the ſole Privilege and Immunity of Printing in fair Volumes, Adorned with Sculptures, Virgil Tranſlated, Homer's Iliads, Æſop Paraphraſed, and Our Entertainment in Paſſing through Our City of London, and Coronation, together with Homer's Odyſſes, and his fore-mentioned Æſop with his Additions and Annotations in Folio, with a Prohibition, that none ſhould Print or Re-print the ſame in any Volumes, without the Conſent and Approbation of him, the ſaid John Ogilby, his Heirs, Executors, or Aſſigns, within the term of Fifteen Years next enſuing the Date of Our ſaid Warrant;[…]"
— 1669, John Nievhoff, translated by John Ogilby, An Embassy from the Eaſt-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham Emperour of China, London: John Macock, →OCLC, page https://archive.org/details/McGillLibrary-126081-3026/page/n10/:
"Both are Tranſlated into Engliſh, Illuſtrated with Sculptures, and Printed about two Years ago."
— 1690, “Preface to the Reader”, in A Full and True Relation of the Great and Wonderful Revolution That Hapned Lately in the Kingdom of Siam in the East-Indies, London: Randal Taylor, page i:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The museum's new ____ was carved from a single piece of marble.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The museum's centerpiece was a bronze ____ depicting a figure in motion.