Sculpture is about so much more than aesthetics—indeed, some of the oldest pieces yet found seem intentionally crude, and were probably meant for ritualistic use. It is art for the hands as much as the eyes, and from its prehistoric origins to the abstract forms of the modern era, sculpture touches something essential in us. This album explores the evolution of sculptural forms through a thousand works spanning civilizations and epochs, including ancient pieces that astound with their sophistication and masterpieces that have defined art and beauty. The book also provides commentaries on individual works, biographies of artists, a glossary, and a chronology that overlays western art movements on historical events.