Over the centuries, the great artists of the world have left humanity with a priceless cultural heritage. The art of sculpture, which gave birth to masterpieces of spectacular value, has become famous. Here are some of the most famous sculptures in the world, some belonging to antiquity, others are creations of modern art.
1. Discobolus of Myron Â
Discobolus of Myron is a masterpiece of Greek antiquity, dating from the period 460-450 BC. Unfortunately, the original Greek bronze statue does not exist anymore, but became famous by many artists’ marble copies made in the Roman Empire, both full scale and resized.
2. The Kiss, by Auguste Rodin
The Kiss is a sculpture made by famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin in 1889. Initially was named Francesca da Rimini, the female character from Dante’s Inferno who falls for her husband’s brother, Paolo. Surprised by the crazy jealous husband, the couple is killed by him.
3. Pieta, by Michelangelo Buonarroti
This masterpiece of Renaissance, the sculpture Pieta is Michelangelo’s famous work which is found in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The opera was made by the order and the financial support of the French Cardinal Jean de Billheres and is the only creation of Michelangelo inscribed with his name.
It is made from Carrara marble and was originally created to decorate the cardinal’s funeral monument. Later, it was moved in the Vatican Basilica. It depicts the Virgin Mary covered in a robe, holding Jesus. Michelangelo wanted the sculpture not necessarily capture the idea of death by crucifixion, but the religious vision of the relationship of man with God through the quiet and serene figure of the Son of God.
4. The Thinker, by Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin is the author of several sculptures became famous over time. The Thinker, a sculpture in marble and bronze is currently in the Rodin Museum in Paris and was shown for the first time in 1902. There are about 20 other original casts of the sculpture, along with various other versions.
The sculpture depicts a man who meditates deeply, concerned with his strong inner emotional battle. It was originally called The Poet and thought to be an emblematic figure of intellect and also poetry.
5. Miss Pogany, by Constantin Brancusi
Also known as Mademoiselle Pogany, the sculpture was made in five versions of marble and bronze, between 1913 and 1933. The name comes from the painter Margit Pogany, which was, for several months, model and girlfriend to the sculptor. Currently, the famous sculpture is the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, USA.
6. Venus de Milo
Also known as the Aphrodite of Milo, Venus is an ancient Greek sculpture and one of the most famous masterpieces of ancient Greece. It is made of marble and embodies Aphrodite or Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. Currently, the masterpiece can be admired at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
7. David, by Michelangelo Buonarroti
Another masterpiece of the Renaissance is Michelangelo’s David. It was created between 1501 and 1504 and depicts the famous biblical figure of David, which in time became a symbol of civil rights. The nude is made of marble and, to a certain point, was inlaid with gold.
In 1991, the statue suffered small damage after a visitor hit it with a hammer hidden in his jacket. The fingers of the left foot were affected.
8. Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a famous neoclassical sculpture set in Liberty Island in New York City. The creation belongs to Frederic Bartholdi and is a gift from France to the United States. The statue, symbol of freedom and also of New York City, depicting Libertas, Romanian goddess of freedom, is holding a torch and a book of laws on which is inscribed the date of the Declaration of Independence , July 4th.
9. The Sculptural Ensemble of Constantin Brancusi from Targu -Jiu
A park in Targu-Jiu hosts three famous sculptures of Constantin Brancusi: Endless Column, The Table of Silence and Gate of the Kiss. Table of Silence is carved in limestone and is the table where the combatants stand before starting the battle. The Gate of the Kiss is crafted in travertine, while Endless Column is made of 17 modules iron. The complex was inaugurated in 1938 and is a masterpiece of contemporary sculpture.
10. Lady Justice
This sculpture is not connected to a specific sculptor, but is especially famous because it is exhibited in all courts in the world. It dates back to antiquity and it is a representation of the goddess Themis, the goddess of law and justice. It holds a scale, suggesting the idea of fairness and a sword suggesting that the owners are those who have the greatest power of decision.
