Final answer:
From the 19th century to 1979, sculpture evolved from classical forms to modern concepts reflecting contemporary issues and employing new materials. Auguste Rodin initiated modern sculpture, emphasizing realism. By the 1960s, the field expanded to include site-specific and environmental works, with a broader range of materials and collaborative efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 19th century, sculpture began a significant transformation, influenced by the sweeping changes across the art world. The emergence of various art movements like Realism, Fauvism, Expressionism, and Cubism represented a radical shift from historical and allegorical themes to a focus on modern, contemporary issues. Notably, modern sculpture is often traced back to the influential work of Auguste Rodin, who opted for realism and personal expression over traditional classical themes.
By the 1960s, the sculpture had further evolved, embracing abstract and figurative dimensions and integrating new materials. This period experienced a marked departure from creating sculptures from a single block of marble or bronze, to utilizing a variety of materials requiring the collaborative efforts of multiple individuals, including landscape designers and architects. The concept of site-specific and environmental works emerged, symbolizing a symbiotic relationship between the sculpture and the environment it inhabited.
The 20th century brought about broader sociocultural changes, influencing the narratives around art. Historians began to revise their accounts to include a more diverse array of artists, and they broadened their focus beyond the traditional trio of painting, sculpture, and architecture to also encompass contemporary media such as video art and performance art. These extensive changes reflect the shift in society and the manner in which Western society attempted to comprehend and represent the urban, industrial, and secular society that had arisen.