Sculpture

From 1912 until 1924 only one event was held in the sculpturing category. For the first two competitions in 1912 and 1920 only a single-digit number of artists known by name took part. In 1924, the number of participants increased to 68 including seven women. As in most art disciplines, the Amsterdam Olympics in 1928 brought considerable changes. For the first time, different events were distinguished: “Sculptures (in the round)“ and “Reliefs and Medals”. Also exhibited for the first time were works “out of competition“ or “hors concours”. Germany’s Renée Sintenis became the first female sculptor to win a medal. For the first time, the number of participants exceeded 100 (including those represented out of competition).

In 1932, the three events were retained, and the number of artists rose to an all-time high of 148 with more than 300 works. Some countries, including Bulgaria, Peru, and Switzerland, were represented by single artists “hors concours”. These were predominantly artists living in the USA at the time or with close ties there. With Japan, a non-European and non-North American country entered sculptures for the first time, presenting a mix of traditional and modern motifs. For the first time, so-called “Honourable Mentions” were determined. In 1936, the number of events was increased to three: “Sculptures (in the round)“, “Reliefs” and “Plaques (Medals)”. The number of participating artists and entered works started to drop.

This trend continued in 1948, also because three-dimensional entries of arts and crafts were shifted from sculpturing to the “Applied Arts and Crafts” category. The events were basically retained but the number of entered works decreased to less than 100 and all three medals were only awarded in the “Sculptures” event. In 1952, the art competitions were replaced by an exhibition without judging the works. Some countries, including Romania, Portugal, and Iran, were previously rarely represented but sent works by renowned artists.

Of the approximately 480 artists competing in sculpturing, about 11% were females. Ten (10) gold, 12 silver, and 12 bronze medals were awarded in the 13 events contested. With 34 the number of Honourable Mentions was slightly higher than in painting. Sixteen countries won at least one medal and the USA was the only country to win two golds, while Germany and Belgium won the most medals (4 with 1/1/2 each). The only two sculptors to win more than one medal were the Austrian medallist Alfred Grienauer (gold in 1928 and bronze in 1948) and Józef Klukowski from Poland (gold in 1932 and silver in 1936). The best-known gold medal winner was probably Paul Landowski who created the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Walter Winans won gold in sculpturing in 1912 and in shooting in 1908.