What historical figures pioneered the use of stone in large-scale Nature-themed Sculptures?

The use of stone for large-scale, nature-themed sculptures has a profound history, pioneered by diverse figures across millennia. While no single historical individual from antiquity can be named, the earliest pioneers were the anonymous builders of megalithic cultures. These Neolithic communities, like those in Britain and France, constructed massive stone circles and earthworks, such as Stonehenge and Carnac. These monuments were not merely functional; they were deeply thematic, aligning with celestial events and embedding human expression within the natural landscape, making their creators the foundational pioneers of nature-themed stone art.

In the modern era, the ethos was revitalized by the Land Art movement of the 1960s and 70s. Artists like Andy Goldsworthy became iconic for his ephemeral and permanent works using raw stones, creating spirals, cairns, and walls that respond to and decay with their environment. Similarly, Michael Heizer pioneered monumental earthworks with stone, such as "Double Negative" and "City," which manipulate vast quantities of rock and earth to create awe-inspiring dialogues with the landscape. These modern visionaries, building upon the ancient tradition, established stone as a primary medium for large-scale art that is intrinsically linked to nature.