The strong form and texture of most statues and monuments is often best illuminated by highlighting rather than uniformly flooding the object. The first step is to identify which characteristic(s) should be developed. The information below offers suggestions for three different techniques:
Most Prominent Feature Select the single most prominent characteristic of the statue or monument, possibly a face or an emblem, and illuminate it with a single spot. More than one spot may be needed to provide visual interest from all viewing locations.
Texture, Three-Dimensional Quality Develop a grazing effect by placing fixtures at the base of the statue, aimed straight up. Strong shadows will highlight the texture and three-dimensional quality of the work. This effect may be produced with either spot or horizontal spot distributions.
Profile, Silhouette Should the statue be located in front of a wall or similar surface such as a row of trees, consider lighting this background surface so that the dark statue is seen in silhouette against the light background. This technique is particularly effective in accenting the overall shape, such as a rider on horseback. Provide sufficient background illuminance so that a strong accent effect exists between the background and statue.
