Figured in Marble: The Making and Viewing of 18th-Century Sculpture

This work is a study of 18th-century British sculpture, illustrated with sculptures from both the V&A and the J. Paul Getty Museum and also many impressive pieces from private collections and churches. The book starts suggesting new ways of looking at 18th-century sculpture and exploring its relationship to themes that have figured prominently in recent discussions on British painting. The relationship between painting and sculpture, and the links between making and viewing, are themes that are explored throughout the book. The chapters are arranged in five sections, each prefaced by a brief introduction, forming groups of case studies which illustrate approaches to: writing sculptural histories; design, making and materials; categories and genres; and finally, settings, collecting and display. Each chapter is in itself a richly informative and original contribution to the history of sculpture and together they form a coherent and authoritative account of a major aspect of British art. As well as establishing itself as a major study within this field, the book provides a useful introduction to 18th-century sculpture which complements more recent standard literature on British painting.