Editing Sculpture (section)

==Types==
[[File:龙门-Buddha.jpg|thumb|Open air Buddhist [[rock relief]]s at the [[Longmen Grottoes]], China]]
A distinction exists between sculpture "in the round", free-standing sculpture such as [[statue]]s, 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 background surface. Relief is often classified by the degree of projection from the wall into low or [[bas-relief]], [[alto-relievo|high relief]], and sometimes an intermediate [[mid-relief]]. [[Sunk-relief]] is a technique restricted to [[ancient Egypt]]. Relief is the usual sculptural medium for large figure groups and narrative subjects, which are difficult to accomplish in the round, and is the typical technique used both for [[architectural sculpture]], which is attached to buildings, and for small-scale sculpture decorating other objects, as in much [[pottery]], metalwork and [[jewellery]]. Relief sculpture may also decorate [[stele]]s, upright slabs, usually of stone, often also containing inscriptions.

Another basic distinction is between subtractive carving techniques, which remove material from an existing block or lump, for example of stone or wood, and modelling techniques which shape or build up the work from the material. Techniques such as [[casting]], stamping and moulding use an intermediate matrix containing the design to produce the work; many of these allow the production of several copies.

The term "sculpture" is often used mainly to describe large works, which are sometimes called [[monumental sculpture]], meaning either or both of sculpture that is large, or that is attached to a building. But the term properly covers many types of small works in three dimensions using the same techniques, including coins and [[medal]]s, [[hardstone carving]]s, a term for small carvings in stone that can take detailed work.

The very large or "colossal" statue has had an enduring appeal since [[Classical antiquity|antiquity]]; the [[List of tallest statues|largest on record]] at {{convert|182|m|ft|abbr=on}} is the 2018 Indian [[Statue of Unity]]. Another grand form of portrait sculpture is the [[equestrian statue]] of a rider on horse, which has become rare in recent decades. The smallest forms of life-size portrait sculpture are the "head", showing just that, or the [[Bust (sculpture)|bust]], a representation of a person from the chest up. Small forms of sculpture include the [[figurine]], normally a statue that is no more than {{convert|18|in|cm}} tall, and for reliefs the [[plaquette]], medal or coin.

Modern and contemporary art have added a number of non-traditional forms of sculpture, including [[sound sculpture]], [[light sculpture]], [[environmental art]], [[environmental sculpture]], [[Lock On (street art)|street art sculpture]], [[Kinetic art|kinetic sculpture]] (involving aspects of [[Motion (physics)|physical motion]]), [[land art]], and [[site-specific art]]. Sculpture is an important form of [[public art]]. A collection of sculpture in a garden setting can be called a [[sculpture garden]]. There is also a view that buildings are a type of sculpture, to quote Constantin Brâncuși "Architecture is inhabited sculpture."<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Dea |first=Rory |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Brancusi and the Story of Modernist Sculpture at the Guggenheim |url=https://www.guggenheim.org/articles/checklist/brancusi-and-the-story-of-modernist-sculpture-at-the-guggenheim |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130132758/https://www.guggenheim.org/articles/checklist/brancusi-and-the-story-of-modernist-sculpture-at-the-guggenheim |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |access-date=March 10, 2025 |website=The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Olmedo |first=Kiki |date=February 18, 2017 |title=7 Quotes by Constantin Brancusi on His 141st Birthday |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/7-quotes-by-constantin-brancusi-864005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064458/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/7-quotes-by-constantin-brancusi-864005 |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |access-date=March 10, 2025 |website=Artnet}}</ref>