How did International Gothic sculpture differ from the realism of Claus Sluter’s works?

The International Gothic style and the works of Claus Sluter represent divergent approaches to late medieval sculpture.

The International Gothic style, which gained prominence in the 14th century, is characterized by:
* Refinement and Elegance: It favored a mannered daintiness, emphasizing graceful figures and delicate, fluid movements.12
* Artificiality: The style is noted for its elaborate, finicky drapery and an overall sense of artificial prettiness.13
* Courtly Aesthetic: It was widely disseminated throughout Europe as a courtly style, often prioritizing decorative elegance over naturalistic representation.1

In contrast, the works of Claus Sluter marked a departure from these prevailing tastes through:
* Intrusive Realism: Sluter moved away from the reticent elegance of his contemporaries to embrace a highly individual, monumental, and naturalistic form.23
* Weight and Mass: His sculpture is defined by a massive, weighty quality, featuring large, balanced forms that stand in stark contrast to the slender, graceful figures of the International Gothic.2
* Emotional Intensity: Sluter’s work is strongly characterized by detailed, emotional expression, such as the varied expressions of grief in his pleurants (weepers) or the restrained power of his religious figures.23
* Pictorial Integration: He transformed traditional portal designs into pictorial, triptych-like arrangements, using deep undercuttings and swirling draperies to create dynamic, naturalistic effects.2