Sculpture Court

From Plaster Casts to Broken Glass

Over 100 years ago this space displayed only plaster copies of ancient and medieval sculptures. Today the sculpture collection encompasses a remarkable range of original subjects, innovative techniques and new materials.

One of the oldest and most common forms of sculpture is the statue, but sculpture can now take any form and be made of almost any material. Here, artworks commemorating real people meet imagined figures; abstract sculptures stand next to everyday objects.

Traditional materials such as marble, bronze, wood, stone and plaster are seen alongside unconventional materials such as leather, smashed mirrors and neon light. Original works by Jacob Epstein, Barbara Hepworth and Tracey Emin sit with plaster copies of sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo.