A statue is a sculpture, representing one or more people or animals (including abstract concepts allegorically represented as people or animals), free-standing (as opposed to a relief) and normally full-length (as opposed to a bust) and at least close to life-size, or larger.
A small statue, usually small enough to be picked up, is called a
statuette or
figurine, while one that is more than twice life-size is called a colossal statue.
The definition of a statue is not always clear-cut;
equestrian statues, of a person on a horse, are certainly included, and in many cases, such as a Madonna and Child or a
Pietà, a sculpture of two people will also be.
Example:
Statues have been produced in many cultures from
prehistory to the present; the oldest known statue dating to about 30,000 years ago. The world's tallest statue, Spring Temple Buddha, is 128 metres (420 ft), and is located in
Lushan County,
Henan, China.