The ability to make heavy stone appear light and airy is a hallmark of master sculptors. Artists employ several techniques to achieve this illusion in materials like marble, granite, and basalt.

First, strategic material removal is crucial. By hollowing out sections and leaving thin, delicate-looking structures, sculptors reduce visual weight. Michelangelo's "Pietà" demonstrates this perfectly - the Virgin Mary's flowing robes appear almost translucent despite being solid stone.

Second, surface treatment plays a key role. Polishing certain areas to reflect light while leaving others rough creates contrast that suggests movement and fragility. The play of light across Bernini's "Apollo and Daphne" makes the metamorphosing figures seem to float.

Third, dynamic composition overcomes material density. Diagonal lines, upward gestures, and asymmetrical balance impart a sense of motion. Rodin's "The Kiss" appears weightless due to its balanced yet energetic pose.

Modern sculptors push these techniques further with abstract forms that defy stone's natural properties. By understanding human perception and mastering their tools, artists continue to transform the earth's heaviest materials into visions of ethereal beauty.