Final answer:
Monumental sculpture refers to large-scale and important sculptures, often created for public viewing or specific purposes. Examples include pyramids, temples, and coliseums. In different periods, monumental sculptures focused on themes like heroism and virtue, and artists began experimenting with new materials and creating site-specific works.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term monumental sculpture refers to large-scale and important sculptures. These sculptures are usually grand in size and are created to be viewed by the public or serve a specific purpose. Examples of monumental sculptures include pyramids, temples, sports arenas, and coliseums. In the Neoclassical period, monumental sculptures were often created in a life-sized or even larger scale, and they focused on themes of heroism, patriotism, and virtue.
During the 1960s, the concept of sculptures shifted, and artists started experimenting with abstract and figurative forms. They began using new materials and creating oversized images. Collaborative efforts with landscape designers and architects also resulted in site-specific and environmental works on a grand scale. The landscape became the basis for these sculptures, and they were integrated into existing environments.
In the Medieval period, monumental sculptures were not as common due to economic and political chaos. However, there were still notable works created during this time, such as the Hell sculpture, which was one of the first monumental sculptures of the period. It represented a shift from the monumental sculptures of Ancient Greece and Rome and marked a period of stabilization.