Sculpture techniques
Find out about the processes used to make the sculptures in our collection
Sculpture
With masterpieces by Michelangelo, Bernini and Rodin, our National collection includes sculpture from the 4th century to the present, in a vast range of materials, from bronze, marble, terracotta and wood, to alabaster, amber, wax, lapis and shell.
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The sculpture collection contains approximately 26,000 objects. Highlights of the collection include masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque, ivory sculpture, Northern European polychrome wood sculpture, British Neoclassical marble sculpture, Rodin bronzes, commemorative medals, and the Cast Courts.
Collection highlights
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The Basilewsky Situla, 980 – 981, Milan, Italy -
The Annunciation, mosaic, 1300 – 25, Istanbul, Turkey -
The Crucifixion with the Virgin and St John, pendant, about 900, Constantinople, Turkey -
Lamentation over the Dead Christ, relief, sculpted by Donatello, about 1455 – 60, Italy -
The Ascension with Christ giving the Keys to St Peter, relief, sculpted by Donatello, about 1428 – 30, Florence, Italy -
A Slave, model, sculpted by Michelangelo Buonarroti, about 1516 – 19, Florence, Italy -
Virgin and Child, statuette, by Veit Stoss, about 1495, Cracow, Poland -
The Virgin of Sorrows, bust, by José de Mora, about 1680 – 1700, Granada, Spain -
George Frederick Handel, sculpture, Louis Francois Roubiliac, 1738, Britain. Museum no. A.3-1965. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
The Strong Smell, bust, Franz Xaver Messerchmidt, about 1770 – 81, Bratislava, Slovakia -
The Death of Voltaire, relief, by Samuel Percy, late 18th century to early 19th century, England -
The Age of Bronze, statue, by Auguste Rodin, about 1876, France -
Leda and the Hatpin, medal, Linda Crook, 1999, London, England -
(Detail) Peasant woman nursing a baby, figure group, sculpted by Aimé-Jules Dalou, 1873, London, England -
The Three Graces, marble group, sculpted by Antonio Canova, 1814 – 17, Rome, Italy -
Samson Slaying a Philistine, figure group, sculpted by Giovanni Bologna, 1560 – 62, Florence, Italy
Features
Samson Slaying a Philistine by Giambologna
Find out about this monumental sculpture which has been a model of technical virtuosity for over 400 years
Auguste Rodin: production techniques
How did Rodin arrive at a finished piece? Discover the different techniques involved in producing his iconic sculptures
The Three Graces by Antonio Canova
Discover more about a masterpiece of neoclassical European sculpture
Neptune and Triton by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Explore the only large-scale sculpture in Britain by Baroque master-craftsman Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Donatello – a master at work
Discover how Donatello manipulated materials to create masterpieces of Renaissance sculpture
The Rodin Gift to the V&A
Read about the greatest gift to the Museum by an artist in their lifetime
The story of Michelangelo's David
Meet David, one of the most famous objects in the history of art
Conservation of the Wolsey Angels
Find out how extensive conservation work has enlivened the appearance of the Wolsey Angels and ensured their future preservation
About the Rachel Kneebone display
Find out more about this unique arrangement of contemporary works by Rachel Kneebone alongside masterpieces of the V&A's collection
Conservation of the Spirit of Gaiety
Find out how this beautiful gilded statue has been painstakingly restored to its former glory
How was it made? Plaster cast
Discover the fascinating process of plaster casting
Donatello's 'David'
Pre-dating Michelangelo's David, discover Donatello's marble and bronze sculptures of the Biblical hero
Auguste Rodin: challenging beauty
Find out how Auguste Rodin paved the way for modern sculpture
Antonio Canova – an introduction
Discover the master of Neoclassical sculpture
Explore Donatello's masterpiece: 'The Ascension'
Shine a light on this masterful marble carving
Header image: Neptune and Triton, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, about 1622-23, Italy. Museum no. A.18:1-1950. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London