On the apex and two lower angles of the pediment were introduced acroteria, sometimes ornaments of flowers and tendrils, and sometimes statues of gods or animals. These were placed on small pedestals, and offered an æsthetic contrast to the sliding effect which would otherwise have been produced by the oblique lines of the pediment.

Acroteria from the Temple of Minerva at Ægina

On the apex and two lower angles of the pediment were introduced acroteria, sometimes ornaments of flowers…

On the apex and two lower angles of the pediment were introduced acroteria, sometimes ornaments of flowers and tendrils, and sometimes statues of gods or animals. These were placed on small pedestals, and offered an æsthetic contrast to the sliding effect which would otherwise have been produced by the oblique lines of the pediment.

Acroteria, or Roof-Pedestal, from the Temple of Theseus at Athens

On the apex and two lower angles of the pediment were introduced acroteria, sometimes ornaments of flowers…

"The term used in sculpture to designate that mode of representing objects by which they are made to project strongly and boldly from the background, without being entirely detached." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Alto-Rilievo

"The term used in sculpture to designate that mode of representing objects by which they are made to…

"Johann Heinrich von Dannecker, of Stuttgart, another great sculptor, excelled in portrait-statues, and was also very successful in his treatment of female figures. His busts of Scholler, and Lavater, and of King's Frederick and William of Wurtembery, are very valuable likenessess. His group, Ariadne and the Panther, in a private collection at Frankfort, copies of which abound everywhere, is his most famous work." —D'Anvers, 1895

Ariadne

"Johann Heinrich von Dannecker, of Stuttgart, another great sculptor, excelled in portrait-statues,…

An ancient Assyrian wall relief, depicting two hunters on a chariot.

Assyrian Chariot Wall Relief

An ancient Assyrian wall relief, depicting two hunters on a chariot.

An ancient Assyrian wall relief, showing four hunters.

Assyrian Wall Relief

An ancient Assyrian wall relief, showing four hunters.

"A tablet of Pentelic marble. Athena, leaning on her spear, is gazing with downcast head at a grave monument."—Webster, 1913

Mourning Athena

"A tablet of Pentelic marble. Athena, leaning on her spear, is gazing with downcast head at a grave…

"Marble statue of Augustus. In the Vatican." —D'Anvers, 1895

Augustus

"Marble statue of Augustus. In the Vatican." —D'Anvers, 1895

An Aztec sculpture of an elephant-faced god, supposedly an imitation of the Hindu god, Ganesha.

Aztec Imitation of Ganesha - Elephant-faced god

An Aztec sculpture of an elephant-faced god, supposedly an imitation of the Hindu god, Ganesha.

A sculpture of a child, adorned with jewels and decorations

Bambino

A sculpture of a child, adorned with jewels and decorations

Illustration of the life-size marble statue located in Munich, Germany. It was found in 1620 in a moat below  Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. Satyrs attended Dionysus. The satyr in this scuplture is leaning back with his arm behind his head. He has two small horns on his forehead, but otherwise no goat-like features. "In classical myth, a sylvan deity, representing the luxuriant forces of Nature, and closely connected with the worship of Baachus." —Whitney, 1889

The Barberini Faun, or Drunken Satyr

Illustration of the life-size marble statue located in Munich, Germany. It was found in 1620 in a moat…

"Bas-relief from the Harpy tomb. In the British Museum." —D'Anvers, 1895

Bas-relief

"Bas-relief from the Harpy tomb. In the British Museum." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Bas-relief from the Parthenon Frieze."—D'Anvers, 1895

Bas-relief

"Bas-relief from the Parthenon Frieze."—D'Anvers, 1895

"Assyrian bas-relief. Part of a Lion-hunt, from Nimrud." —D'Anvers, 1895

Assyrian Hunting Bas-relief

"Assyrian bas-relief. Part of a Lion-hunt, from Nimrud." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Egyptian bas-relief. Ramses III, between Thoth and Horus." —D'Anvers, 1895

Egyptian bas-relief

"Egyptian bas-relief. Ramses III, between Thoth and Horus." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Persian bas-relief, from Pesepolis." —D'Anvers, 1895

Persian bas-relief

"Persian bas-relief, from Pesepolis." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Bronze statuette, wearing Toga." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Bronze Statuette

"Bronze statuette, wearing Toga." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Distinguished Italian painter, sculptor, architect, and poet.

Michael Angelo Buonarroti

Distinguished Italian painter, sculptor, architect, and poet.

A bust is a sculpted or cast representation of the upper part of the human figure, depicting a person's head and neck, as well as a variable portion of the chest and shoulders. The piece is normally supported by a plinth. These forms recreate the likeness of an individual. These may be of any suitable material (such as marble, bronze or clay).

Bust of Man

A bust is a sculpted or cast representation of the upper part of the human figure, depicting a person's…

The bust of Julius Caesar.

Bust of Julius Caesar

The bust of Julius Caesar.

"The Gonzaga Cameo. Ptolemy I. and Eurydice. Roman. In the St. Petersburg Museum." —D'Anvers, 1895

Gonzaga Cameo

"The Gonzaga Cameo. Ptolemy I. and Eurydice. Roman. In the St. Petersburg Museum." —D'Anvers,…

Caracalla (April 4, 188 – April 8, 217. Caracallus ), born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later called Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus, was the eldest son of Septimius Severus and Roman Emperor from 211 to 217. He was one of the most nefarious of Roman emperors.

Bust of Caracalla

Caracalla (April 4, 188 – April 8, 217. Caracallus ), born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later called…

This wood carving is a sculpture of wheat and wild flowers.

Wood Carving

This wood carving is a sculpture of wheat and wild flowers.

"The Sleeping Children. By Chantery. In Lichfield Cathedral." —D'Anvers, 1895

Sleeping children

"The Sleeping Children. By Chantery. In Lichfield Cathedral." —D'Anvers, 1895

Greek philosopher. Sketch of a restoration.

Chrysippus

Greek philosopher. Sketch of a restoration.

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and lawyer.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and lawyer.

(1451-1506) Famous for his voyage to the New World in 1492.

Christopher Columbus

(1451-1506) Famous for his voyage to the New World in 1492.

Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (31 August 161 – 31 December 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192 (also with his father, Marcus Aurelius, from 177 until 180). The name given here was his official name at his accession to sole rule; see Changes of name for earlier and later forms. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded his father since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. Commodus was the first emperor "born to the purple"; i.e., born during his father's reign.

Bust of Commodus

Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (31 August 161 – 31 December 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled…

The sculpture of comus depicts comus (God of festivities) with the attending spirit descending on a glancing star.

Sculpture of Comus

The sculpture of comus depicts comus (God of festivities) with the attending spirit descending on a…

The head of Michelangelo's sculpture, David.

David

The head of Michelangelo's sculpture, David.

"Diana of Ephesus." —Bulfinch, 1897

Diana of Ephesus

"Diana of Ephesus." —Bulfinch, 1897

This illustration shows a sculpture of a discus thrower.

Disc Thrower

This illustration shows a sculpture of a discus thrower.

"The Discobolus, after Myron. In the Palazzo Massimi, at Rome." —D'Anvers, 1895

Discobolus

"The Discobolus, after Myron. In the Palazzo Massimi, at Rome." —D'Anvers, 1895

The sculpture, Discobolus by Naucydes.

Discobolus

The sculpture, Discobolus by Naucydes.

Also known as Discobolus. The Discus Thrower is a famous, ancient bronze statue that demonstrates a man participating in an ancient sport.

The Discus Thrower

Also known as Discobolus. The Discus Thrower is a famous, ancient bronze statue that demonstrates a…

A sculpture representing and commemorating a person, usually in a church.

Effigy

A sculpture representing and commemorating a person, usually in a church.

A sculpture constructed by an ancient Egyptian artist.

Egyptian Sculpture

A sculpture constructed by an ancient Egyptian artist.

"In architecture, a sculptured ornament in imitation of a garland or festoon of fruits, leaves, or flowers, or of other objects, suspended between two points." -Whitney, 1911

Encarpus

"In architecture, a sculptured ornament in imitation of a garland or festoon of fruits, leaves, or flowers,…

This engraving shows a deer being attacked by wolves.

Engraving

This engraving shows a deer being attacked by wolves.

This engraving is in the style of a sea shell.

Engraving

This engraving is in the style of a sea shell.

"Doric Entablature. E, entablature: a, epistyle or architrave; b, frieze; c, cornice." -Whitney, 1911

Doric Entablature

"Doric Entablature. E, entablature: a, epistyle or architrave; b, frieze; c, cornice." -Whitney, 1911

"Bronze Etruscan figure." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Etruscan Figure

"Bronze Etruscan figure." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

An illustration of an Egyptian sculpture of a family.

Family Sculpture

An illustration of an Egyptian sculpture of a family.

A very large sculpture crafted by Apollonius of Tralles and his brother Tauriscus representing the myth of Dirce, the wife of Lykos, King of Thebes.

Farnese Bull

A very large sculpture crafted by Apollonius of Tralles and his brother Tauriscus representing the myth…

This water fountain is a 17th century design that is made out of well glazed pottery. It is decorated with flowers and foliage.

Water Fountain

This water fountain is a 17th century design that is made out of well glazed pottery. It is decorated…

This water fountain is a 17th century design that is made out of well glazed pottery. It is decorated with flowers and foliage.

Water Fountain

This water fountain is a 17th century design that is made out of well glazed pottery. It is decorated…

An illustration of a statue of a freedman.

Statue of Freedman

An illustration of a statue of a freedman.

The stairway of the great altar at Pergamon in Ancient Greece shows a frieze. A frieze is a sculpture of an entablature in bas-relief.

Frieze of Altar at Pergamon

The stairway of the great altar at Pergamon in Ancient Greece shows a frieze. A frieze is a sculpture…

"Assyrian Fringes, from ancient bas-reliefs. Fringe: an ornamental bordering formed of short lengths of thread." -Whitney, 1911

Assyrian Fringe

"Assyrian Fringes, from ancient bas-reliefs. Fringe: an ornamental bordering formed of short lengths…

"Assyrian Fringes, from ancient bas-reliefs. Fringe: an ornamental bordering formed of short lengths of thread." -Whitney, 1911

Assyrian Fringe

"Assyrian Fringes, from ancient bas-reliefs. Fringe: an ornamental bordering formed of short lengths…

"Galleries of the west front of the Cathedral of Amiens, 13th century, illustrating treatment of galleries as a decorative feature." -Whitney, 1911

Galleries of Cathedral of Amiens

"Galleries of the west front of the Cathedral of Amiens, 13th century, illustrating treatment of galleries…

An illustration of sculptures from a gateway at Khorsabad.

Gateway at Khorsabad

An illustration of sculptures from a gateway at Khorsabad.

A Roman copy of an ancient Greek sculpture. The copy is made of marble, while the lost original sculpture is thought to have been bronze.

The Dying Gaul

A Roman copy of an ancient Greek sculpture. The copy is made of marble, while the lost original sculpture…

A sculpture constructed by an ancient Greek artist.

Grecian Sculpture

A sculpture constructed by an ancient Greek artist.

"Medieval Griffin. Porch of the Duomo, Verona, Italy. GRIFFIN. In mythology, an imaginary animal supposed to be generated between the lion and the eagle, and to combine the head, front, and wings of an eagle with the body and hind quarters of a lion." -Whitney, 1911

Griffin

"Medieval Griffin. Porch of the Duomo, Verona, Italy. GRIFFIN. In mythology, an imaginary animal supposed…

Statue of Patrick Henry, American Revolutionary, in Richmond, Virginia.

Statue of Patrick Henry at Richmond, VA

Statue of Patrick Henry, American Revolutionary, in Richmond, Virginia.

Hercules slaying the Hydra, from sculpture at Florence

Hercules

Hercules slaying the Hydra, from sculpture at Florence

"The Farnese Hercules (Colossal). Found in 1540 in the Baths of Caracalla. In the Naples Museum." —D'Anvers, 1895

Farnese Hercules

"The Farnese Hercules (Colossal). Found in 1540 in the Baths of Caracalla. In the Naples Museum." —D'Anvers,…

A sculpture with a head or torso above a plain lower section.

An Archaic Herm

A sculpture with a head or torso above a plain lower section.

Herald of the Olympian gods, shown with the child Dionysus.

Hermes

Herald of the Olympian gods, shown with the child Dionysus.