Stories of famous paintings and sculptures. The most amazing and greatest sculptures in the history of mankind

Museums around the world are open to everyone who wishes to become acquainted with the art of sculpture. Figures of people and animals were made in different centuries from different materials. Among the most famous sculptures are statues of gods and ancient sculptures. What inspired the masters and what are the most famous sculptures?

Famous antique sculptures

"Venus de Milo"

Scientists have determined only approximately the time of creation. In their opinion, Venus was sculpted in one hundred and thirtieth BC. e. Today it is on display at the Louvre.

"David"

The date of creation of this sculpture is one thousand four hundred and forty. “David” is shown at the Florence National Museum.

"Discus thrower"

The most famous statues of gods

Statue of Christ the Savior

This statue is a sacred symbol of Brazil. The figure of Christ rises seven hundred meters above sea level. Its height is thirty-eight meters. The sculpture was erected in nineteen thirty-one with donations from the population and the church.

Maitreya Buddha statue

It is known that work on it began back in seven hundred and thirteen and lasted ninety years. Numerous tourists who come to China are eager to see the statue of God, which for about a thousand years was considered the tallest in the world.

Shiva statue

Other recognizable statues

Moai

One of the expeditions discovered a gigantic unfinished statue there. Its weight is approximately two hundred and seventy tons, and its height is twenty meters.

"Manneken Pis"

The Bronze Boy has been kidnapped several times. Copies appeared in its place. From time to time the statue is dressed in different costumes, depending on the memorable date or holiday.

Great Sphinx

The most famous sculpture in the world

Born in 1880, he received a large order. The work was to be called “The Gates of Hell.” It was assumed that the author would create several sculptures that would be installed at the entrance to the museum. This project remained unfinished, however, Rodin decided to make a number of sculptures large. Thanks to this, the world saw The Thinker. To the brilliant master managed to accurately convey the deep thought process of a man sitting on a stone.
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Sculptors are masters of three-dimensional art who, throughout human history, have worked to shape marble, bronze, wood and other materials into incredible shapes. Sculpture has always been an important way to understand culture and society, whether it be portrait busts of great leaders or symbolic representations of ethical principles.

If you try to count everything famous sculptures in human history, you will find that the list is endless. Today we will show you 15 of the most iconic and great works of this amazing visual arts that everyone should know about.

Bust of Nefertiti, Thutmose, 1345 BC. An image that has long been a symbol of the ideal of female beauty. It is now kept in the New Museum in Berlin.

Terracotta Army, 3rd century BC An incredible example of funerary art: 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 670 horses. The army was created to protect the Chinese emperor in the afterlife. It was only discovered in 1974 when farmers were digging a well.

Nike of Samothrace, 190 BC. An iconic example of Hellenistic Greek sculpture, housed in the Louvre.

Venus de Milo, 130 BC. Legendary marble sculpture dedicated to the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Also located in the Louvre.

David, Donatello, 1430-1440 The Italian Renaissance sculptor Donatello created his David almost 100 years before the legendary David of Michelangelo.

David, Michelangelo, 1501-1504 One of the most iconic sculptures in human history.

The Statue of Liberty, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustav Eiffel, 1876-1886. The copper statue depicting the Roman goddess Libertas is a symbol of US freedom.

The Thinker, Rodin, 1880 (cast 1904). A masterpiece by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, which became a symbol of philosophy.

Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, Umberto Boccioni, 1913 (cast 1931). A stunning sculpture by the brilliant Italian artist Umberto Boccioni, who died at 33, is now on display at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Fountain, Duchamp, 1917 Marcel Duchamp once set the art world on edge with his Fountain, a sculpture that is essentially a porcelain urinal. The innovative work challenged all art lovers and made them think about traditional concepts of craftsmanship and aesthetics in art.

Lincoln Memorial, designed by Daniel Chester French and cast by PICCIRILLI BROTHERS, 1920. Sculpture depicting a contemplative Lincoln seated within the majestic temple that forms the remainder of the Lincoln Memorial. In the 1930s, the space became a symbol of race relations in the United States.

Bird in Space, Constantin Brancusi, 1923. A series of marble and bronze sculptures by the Romanian artist, depicting not the physical likeness of a bird, but a sense of movement. The original version is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Inflatable dog, Jeff Koons, 1994-2000. The artist, who became the author of some of the most outstanding works of the 20th century, created a whole series of similar sculptures of sparkling toy dogs. One of them was auctioned at Christie's for $58.4 million in 2013.

Mother, Louise Bourgeois, 1999. The masterpiece, which is considered a symbol of the fusion of physical and psychological strength, is located near the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Cloud Gate, Anish Kapoor, 2004. One of the most famous works of the controversial sculptor is located in Chicago. The artist was inspired to create such an object by liquid mercury.

Selecting a certain number of the most famous statues in the world is not so easy, since the concept of “most famous” is different for each nation. If, for example, for New Yorkers it is the Statue of Liberty, then for Copenhagen residents it is the Little Mermaid, for Volgograd residents it is the Motherland, and for residents of Prague it is the Kafka monument.

1. The work of the great Michelangelo “David”- is a symbol of the Renaissance and personifies the power of human creative genius. The young and ambitious Michelangelo created his David in 1501. to decorate the Florence Cathedral. Unlike traditional image David with the head of the defeated Goliath, the sculpture represents young hero preparing to enter battle. Today, “David” is one of the most copied sculptures in the world.

2. Venus de Milo by unknown author. This legendary statue has graced the Louvre since 1821. According to experts, the sculpture was made in the period from 130 to 100 BC. Presumably, the authors of the work could have been the ancient masters Agesander or Praxiteles. The height of the white marble statue exceeds 2m. The statue was found in the ground in Milos in 1820. Then she was whole and had hands, but during conflict situations for its possession, the hands were damaged and are considered lost.

3. Rodin's work "The Thinker". She was also recognized best job author, although “The Thinker” was originally planned as part sculptural composition, which was supposed to decorate the museum gates decorative arts in Paris. But after completing the work, Rodin realized that the statue reveals a broader theme - a person experiencing a deep internal struggle. The image for the future sculpture was Dante himself.

4. Pietta by Michelangelo “Lamentation of Christ.” The sculpture, 174 cm high, was created in 1499. and today it is a decoration of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. “Lamentation of Christ” is Michelangelo’s first and most famous pietta; it represents two life-size figures of the Virgin Mary and Christ: a mother holding her dying son in her arms. The author carved the composition from a single piece of marble.

5. Sculpture of Octavian Augustus. The first Roman emperor has been known to everyone since his school days; his main achievements were the end internecine wars and the establishment of peace in Rome. The two-meter sculpture was found in 1863; it is a copy of the bronze original, which was created in 20 BC. The sculpture is said to be a portrait likeness of Octavian himself.

6. Rodin’s sculpture “The Kiss”. Love has always been the main inspiring force for artists. Rodin, imbued with the vibes of one of the most romantic couples in history, Paulo Malates and Francesca Rimini, created and dedicated his sculpture “The Kiss” to them. During the creation of the composition, the author himself was consumed by a wave of love for the young Camille Claudel, who was 26 years younger than Rodin, and therefore his work was perfectly able to convey all the sensuality and passion of such a classic plot.

7. Statue of Themis - the goddess of justice. She is one of the most recognizable in the world. A woman, blindfolded, with scales in one hand and a sword in the other, determines the "weight" of good and bad deeds a person to decide his posthumous fate. The double-edged sword not only promises retribution, but also warns of responsibility.

8. Masterpiece of the ancient Greek sculptor Myron - “Discobolus”. Original bronze sculpture, dating from the 5th century BC, is kept in National Museum Rome. Myron's contemporaries describe him as an unsurpassed expert in anatomy, but, unfortunately, he does not have the talent to reflect feelings on people's faces. The main characters of Myron's works were animals, gods and famous warriors.

9. Ancient sculpture“Hermes with the Child Dionysus” by the Greek Praxiteles. The author created his masterpiece around 330-340. BC. His marble work was discovered in 1877. during excavations of the Temple of Hera. The height of the sculpture on the pedestal was 3m70cm, Hermes himself is depicted 2m12cm tall. – he leans against a tree trunk, resting on the way. The baby, probably reaching for a bunch of grapes (it has not survived, like one hand of Hermes), has, according to tradition, classical art proportions of an adult.

10. Sculpture by master Silvio Go Jadson “Girl from Savannah feeding the birds.” The work was completed relatively recently - in 1936. The author created it as a garden sculpture to decorate the Massachusetts garden. Four copies were made of the statue and one of them was installed on the territory of the Savannah cemetery in Georgia.

When talking about what the most famous sculpture in the world is, it is impossible to be specific. The fact is that throughout the history of mankind there have been many geniuses, each of whom left their mark. But there are statues that have delighted people for centuries. They deserve attention.

Sculptures are usually kept in museums. Some of them remain in the place where the author built them. And the smallest part is in private collections. In fact, they should not be anyone's, as they represent a world heritage. And everyone who wants to look at them must have access to this.

Venus Capitoline

The most famous sculpture in the world, which was created thousands of years ago, is the Capitoline Venus. It was made of marble in the 2nd century. Its prototype is considered to be the statue of Aphrodite, which was created back in the 4th century BC.

It depicts a woman covering her nakedness with her hands. The sculptor managed to convey all the embarrassment that the model experienced (if there was one). Therefore, she is also called “modest Venus.” Next to the woman stands a vessel on which her robe is folded.

The sculpture was found quite late, in 1667. Then in 1754 he donated it. There is a widespread belief that this particular sculpture of Venus is considered the most beloved, since it fully reflects her grace, elegance and beauty.

David Donatello

The most famous sculpture in the world, the creation of which dates back to the Renaissance, is David, made by the master Donatello. She gained her popularity quite quickly. This is due to the fact that in the Renaissance it was the first nude statue.

The sculpture is made of marble and depicts a young man holding a sword in his hand. The head of Goliath can be seen under his feet. But the pretentious pose shows the author's mockery. And David doesn’t hold his weapon like a warrior at all. He seems to be leaning on it like a cane.

Starting with the sculpture in question, Donatello’s work acquired certain features. Further, he created sculptures only in his own style, where there was a certain homogeneity and gothic style. The author's subsequent works were also popular, but it was David who caused a stir among fans and critics. Therefore, it can be considered Donatello's masterpiece.

Michelangelo's rebel and dying slaves

The great Michelangelo did not leave humanity without masterpieces. His most famous sculpture is the Dying Slave. However, before the creator began sculpting, he did a lot of work.

In 1505 Michelangelo began his new project- creation of the tomb of Pope Julius II. Initially, he planned to decorate the mausoleum with too many statues (about 40), but his plans did not come true. The work took a long time (until 1545), but there were much fewer sculptures, and only three have survived to this day. The foundation of the tomb is the mighty Moses, who had titanic strength and temperament.

There were to be two slaves on either side of her. The first, rebel, which depicts the desire of a young and strong youth to break his bonds. The second is a dying slave. In this case, the young man just hung helplessly in his bonds.

Of these two statues, it is impossible to single out just one. They're both wonderful.

Voltaire Jean Baptiste Pigal

To the list of "most famous sculptures world" must include Voltaire's Nude. It was created by Jean Baptiste Pigalle, and it caused too much hype around itself.

Firstly, the sculpture looked too realistic. For that time (1776) this was a real challenge to critics. Pigalle created this sculptural portrait over the course of 6 years. First he completed the body; an old soldier became his model. Then he transferred the face from the bust.

Secondly, the statue did not display any beauty or sophistication at all. It depicts a flabby old body with sagging skin, and a mocking and ironic smile adorns the face.

When the sculpture was exhibited at the Paris Salon, high society refused to accept it, a huge scandal arose. They forgot about the master's work. Only in the 20th century was it remembered, and the masterpiece was given its due - Pigalle was appreciated.

Bronze Horseman of Falcons

If you remember the most famous sculptures of Russia, the first thing that comes to mind is Generally this. But thanks to the work of Pushkin, it is known under a different name. It was created by three French sculptors, whose head was Falcons. At the end of the work, he carved on the sculpture on Latin words that the monument is his brainchild.

In total, the sculpture was created over 15 years. According to the author's plan, it was supposed to reflect the power of the Russian emperor over nature and history, his will and talent as a reformer. I must say that it was a success.

Unique feature Bronze Horseman is that it was cast completely, so it is impossible to find joints or welds on its surface. And also the rock on which it stands is the largest monolith ever moved by man.

Today everyone can look at the Bronze Horseman, who is located next to St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Rodin's Thinker

The most famous, as well as the most recognizable, is located in the Parisian museum of the same name. This is the popular "Thinker". The author was inspired by “ The Divine Comedy" Accordingly, if it were not for the talented Dante, “The Thinker” would not have existed.

In 1880, Rodin received an order for a large-scale work called “The Gates of Hell.” According to his plan, it will include several individual sculptures. The project itself was supposed to decorate the entrance to the museum. But the work was not finished. However, Rodin decided to enlarge some of the sculptures and present them to the world separately.

This is how The Thinker appeared. The sculpture depicts a man frozen in a sitting position on a stone. His persistent thought process is literally visible to everyone who looks at him - the author managed to convey the emotional coloring so reliably.

Chicago and Picasso

If we consider the large-scale and famous sculptures of the world, we cannot ignore the one that has not even received a name. It was installed in Chicago and is a kind of gift to this city from the master Picasso. By the way, its name is exactly that: “nameless sculpture”.

In 1963, an American company ordered models of the statue from Picasso, which were ready within 2 years. After the project was approved, construction began. It was funded by two charitable companies, and the entire process cost $352,000. The weight of the structure is 162 tons, and the height is just over 15 meters.

The sculptor himself was offered 100 thousand dollars for planning and processing the project. However, Picasso refused; he insisted that he wanted to donate this structure to the city.

Two forms of Henry Moore

Perhaps the most famous sculpture in the world by Henry Moore is his “Two Forms”. It was completed in 1936. Moore himself is a British sculptor who is clearly the greatest master 20th century.

"Two Shapes" is considered a descendant of "The Kiss". However, they are more elegant, they show notes of modernity, or, as the creator himself called it, “new aesthetics.”

The sculpture is perfectly named because it truly embodies two forms. They seem to complement each other. But they will also not be meaningless if we consider each form separately. This is what Henry is all about; he also exudes mystery and aloofness, as do all his works.

Unfortunately, in Russian museums there are no works by Moore, but exhibitions are often held here. Therefore, it is still possible to get acquainted with his art and technique.

Conclusion

All famous sculptures and their authors differ from each other. But only one thing can be said for sure about each of them. They all gave the world a lot of new things. Art has always existed. Moreover, many talented masters were not accepted at the time. Their masterpieces had to wait centuries to glorify their creator. But in any case, sculpture always found its audience, its recognition.

Not all famous sculptures are listed here. Photos of many masterpieces can be seen on thematic websites. However, they are not able to reflect all the sophistication and beauty that the sculptors wanted to convey to the people. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to touch the beautiful, you should take advantage of it and look at the sculptures of talented masters in person.

All the statues that will be discussed are world landmarks and are located in most interesting countries peace. They are all different and not alike, but we have all heard about them at some point, because they are the cultural heritage of all humanity.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer

Located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, at least 1.8 million tourists climb to its foot, from where a panorama of the city and the coast with the picturesque Pan di Azucar mountain opens up.

Moai

Located on Easter Island, Chile. These are stone statues made from compressed volcanic ash. All moai are monolithic, meaning they are carved from a single piece of stone rather than glued or fastened together. The weight sometimes reaches more than 20 tons, and the height - more than 6 meters (in addition, an unfinished sculpture was found 20 meters tall and weighing 270 tons). There are a total of 997 moai on Easter Island; how and why they were built is unknown. All of them, except for seven statues, “look” into the interior of the island.

"Little Mermaid"

Located in the port of Copenhagen, Denmark. This is a statue depicting the heroine of the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. She is only 1.25 m tall and weighs about 175 kg, but this does not stop her from being one of the most iconic sculptures. Its construction was ordered in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen (son of the founder of the Carlsberg company) after he was fascinated by the ballet of the same name.

Buddha statue in Leshan

It is located in the thickness of Mount Lingyunshan at the confluence of three rivers in the Chinese province of Sichuan. It is one of the tallest Buddha monuments and was once the tallest piece of sculpture in the world (which it has been for over a thousand years). Work on its creation took place during the reign of the Tang Dynasty (713) and lasted ninety years. The height of the statue is 71 m, the height of the head is almost 15 m, the shoulder span is almost 30 m, the length of the finger is 8 m, the length of the toe is 1.6 m, the length of the nose is 5.5 m. It is recognized as a monument World Heritage UNESCO.

"Great Sphinx"

Located on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. The oldest preserved on Earth monumental sculpture. Carved from a monolithic limestone rock in the shape of a colossal sphinx - a lion lying on the sand, whose face, as has long been believed, was given a portrait resemblance to Pharaoh Khafre (c. 2500 BC), whose funeral pyramid is located nearby. The length of the statue is 73 meters, height is 20 meters; Between the front paws there was once a small sanctuary.

Statue of Liberty

Located on Liberty Island, about 3 km southwest of the southern tip of Manhattan, in New Jersey. It is often called a symbol of New York and the USA, a symbol of freedom and democracy. It is noteworthy that main symbol The US built it and was given to them by the French.

Venus de Milo

Located in the Louvre. This is the famous ancient Greek statue of the goddess Aphrodite, created approximately between 130 and 100 BC. Perhaps the most famous statue and one of the most ancient of all existing ones. The broken hands give it a special flavor.

Nelson's Column

Located in the center of Trafalgar Square in London. The column was built between 1840 and 1843 in memory of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The 5.5-meter statue is located on top of a 46-meter granite column. The statue looks south towards the Admiralty and Portsmouth - the site of Nelson's flagship, the Royal navy Great Britain HMS Victor. They say that Hitler wanted to take the convoy to Berlin after the successful capture of Great Britain.

"Manneken Pis"

It is one of the most famous landmarks in Brussels, Belgium. The exact time and circumstances of the appearance of the statue are unknown. According to some information, the statue existed already in the 15th century. Some Brussels residents say that it was installed as a reminder of the events of the Grimbergen War, when a cradle with the son of Godfrey III of Leuven was hung on a tree in order to inspire the townspeople with the sight of the future monarch, and the child from there urinated on the soldiers fighting under the tree. According to another legend, the statue was originally intended to remind the townspeople of the boy who extinguished the ammunition laid out by the enemy under the city walls with a stream of urine.

Shiva statue in Sanga, or Kailasnath Mahadev

It is located on the border of Bhaktapur and Kavrepalankok districts in Nepal. This is the tallest statue of the god Shiva and one of the tallest statues in general. Completed just a few years ago, it is made of copper, cement, zinc and steel and is one of Nepal's first modern landmarks.