Final answer:
A sculptural work that is three-dimensional and can be seen from all angles is known as sculpture in the round. This type of sculpture is freestanding and contrasts with relief sculpture. Famous examples include Michelangelo's David and Brancusi's Bird in Space.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sculptural work that exists in fully three-dimensional space and can be seen from all sides is called sculpture in the round. This type of sculpture stands in contrast to a relief sculpture, which is attached to a background and cannot be viewed from all angles. The essential nature of sculpture in the round is that it is freestanding, allowing viewers to observe the sculpture from multiple perspectives.
There are three basic types of carved sculpture: in-the-round, high relief, and low (bas) relief. Examples of sculpture in the round include Michelangelo's David, which is designed to be walked around and appreciated from every side. Moreover, artists such as Constantin Brancusi have pushed the boundaries of sculpture in the round with abstract forms, such as his work Bird in Space, which challenged traditional representations and viewer perceptions.
The concept of three-dimensional sculptural form can expand beyond traditional artworks to include elements like light and positive and negative space, which sculptors and observers use to engage fully with the piece. This reflects how sculptors consider the full environmental impact of their work and its interplay with the surrounding space.