Throughout art history, sculptors have experimented with an eclectic range of mediums. While cast bronze, carved wood, and fired clay have made lasting impressions, no material has captivated quite like marble.

Prevalent in ancient and contemporary art alike, marble artworks have a prominent place in many major art movements and are among some of the most famous sculptures in the world.

Here, we trace the evolution of the enduring art form, with the re-creation of art with its function showcasing the historic prevalence of the practice and proving its timeless popularity.

TYPES OF MARBLE FOR SCULPTING

The most popular types of marble stone employed in sculpture are Pentelic, Parian and Carrara marble. During Classical Antiquity, the most famous type was the close-grained, golden-toned Pentelic variety, quarried at Mount Pentelicon in Attica.

Parian Marble

Parian marble is a fine-grained semi-translucent pure-white and entirely flawless marble quarried during the classical era on the Aegean Sea coasts.

It was highly prized by ancient Roman for making sculptures. Some of the greatest masterpieces of ancient Roman sculpture were carved from Parian marble, including the Medici Venus and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.