Sculptures are seen in many famous cities and towns from different parts of the world. Most famous sculptures are historic in resemblance. Sculptures are most commonly seen in museums and famous outdoor locations. Basically, if the sculpture or statue is located outdoors, the place will be having a significance on the person portrayed in the statue.
The most famous sculptures around the world were made by equally popular artists of yesteryear. Some artists are known for the famous statues they created. Few of the artists in this list have been repeated more than once for the amazing work they have done for arts and sculpture. Some of them are Michelangelo and Auguste Rodin. Also, you may notice that some museums from the cities of artists, such as Paris and Rome, are stated many times in this list due to the masterpieces on display in such museums.
Table of Contents
- 10 Most Famous Sculptures Around The World
- #1. David – Michelangelo; Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence, Italy – 1501 – 1504
- #2. The Thinker – Auguste Rodin; Musée Rodin, Paris, France – 1902
- #3. Winged Victory of Samothrace; Louvre, Paris, France – 1863
- #4. Bust of Nefertiti; The Egyptian Museum of Berlin, Germany – 1912
- #5. Abraham Lincoln Statue; Daniel Chester, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., USA – 1920
- #6. Capitoline Wolf; Musei Capitolini, Rome, Italy
- #7. The Monument to the Discoveries; Cottinelli Telmo, Lisbon, Portugal – 1960
- #8. The Kiss; Auguste Rodin, Rodin Museum, Paris, France – 1889
- #9. Moses; Michelangelo, San Pietro, Vincoli, Rome, Italy – 1515
- #10. The Dying Gaul; Capitoline Museums, Rome Italy
10 Most Famous Sculptures Around The World
Here is a list of the top 10 most famous sculptures or statues from around the globe.
#1. David – Michelangelo; Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence, Italy – 1501 – 1504
The work of this very famous sculpture was done by the well-known Italian artist Michelangelo at the age of 26 years. The statue represents David, the hero in the Bible. He had to convince the Operai in the Cathedral of Florence to get this work.
David was presented by Michaelangelo before the great battle, whereas the other well-known artists of the time, Verrocchio and Donatello depicted the statue standing over the head of Goliath. The expressions on David’s face and his posture represent his decision to fight. The statue also depicts the beauty of youth. After a few changes in location, the statue now stands in Academia Gallery in Florence since 1873.
#2. The Thinker – Auguste Rodin; Musée Rodin, Paris, France – 1902
The Thinker is a masterpiece from Auguste Rodin which created a monumental portal for the door of the Musée Des Arts Décoratifs museum. The theme of the statue if based on The Divine Comedy of Dante and is named The Gates of Hell.
The Thinker is said to portray Dante before the Gates of Hell. Rodin had followed Michelangelo’s sculptural effects by creating the statue as nude. This famous sculpture has been replicated 28 times but the original could be seen only at the Rodin Museum in France.
#3. Winged Victory of Samothrace; Louvre, Paris, France – 1863
This unusual sculpture stands in the renowned museum Musée De Louvre in Paris, France. Although discovered in 1863 it is believed to have been sculpted at the time of 200 – 190 BC. This piece of art is sculpted out of marble.
It represents Nike, the Winged Goddess and displays a vision of victory at sea. The sculpture is known to be one of the best works to have been found from the Hellenistic period.
#4. Bust of Nefertiti; The Egyptian Museum of Berlin, Germany – 1912
The famous bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti is crafted out of limestone. Found in the year of 1912 it is believed to have been sculpted in 1345 BC. The sculpture was found in the workshop of Thutmose in Amarna, Egypt who gets the credit for this piece of artwork.
The beauty icon, Nefertiti, was the beautiful wife of Akhenaten, Pharaoh of Egypt. As with many things Egyptian this statue has been preserved for many years and what sets it apart from the others is that it is painted using stucco plaster.
#5. Abraham Lincoln Statue; Daniel Chester, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., USA – 1920
The statue of the President of the United States was created by Daniel Chester in the year 1920. This statue weighs 170 tons in total. The sculpture also has a previous work of the President which is displayed in Lincoln, Nebraska. This particular statue stands in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This piece of work was opened for public viewing in the year 1992. The statue depicts the large figure of Abraham Lincoln looking down at the people of his nation just as a President would do in real life.
#6. Capitoline Wolf; Musei Capitolini, Rome, Italy
This sculpture made out of Bronze is said to represent the discovery of Rome. Legend says that two infant twins named Romulus and Remus were thrown in the River Tibet after their grandfather Numitor was overthrown himself.
The twins are depicted in the sculpture. The wolf overpowering the twins in the statue is said to have saved and taken care of the twins until a herdsman came by and raised them by himself.
#7. The Monument to the Discoveries; Cottinelli Telmo, Lisbon, Portugal – 1960
Located on the bank of the Tagus River, this structure was designed by Cottinelli Telmo. However following his death, Antonio Pardal Monteiro became the primary architect for the structure. The project was initiated in the month of August in 1960.
A total of 33 historical figures is present in this sculpture which is meant to be dedicated to the discoveries made by great minds of the world. The men in this piece of art represent people from many fields and professions. They are all facing the river which exemplifies the sea.
#8. The Kiss; Auguste Rodin, Rodin Museum, Paris, France – 1889
Another work of Auguste Rodin stands in the Rodin Museum in Paris, France. The sculpture created in the year 0f 1889 was meant to be an installation to The Gates of Hell. This sculpture depicts a typical love story of an Italian noblewoman, Francesca, who is in love with her husband’s younger brother, Paolo.
The story ends when the couple is discovered by the husband, Giovanni Malatesta and ultimately killed by the latter himself. The sculpture does not show the meeting of the two lips hence proving the fact that they were found and killed before they could ever kiss.
#9. Moses; Michelangelo, San Pietro, Vincoli, Rome, Italy – 1515
This sculpture is about the Prophet Moses sitting on a throne made out of marble. It was crafted by the all-time artist Michelangelo in the year 1515. The Prophet sits on his throne with a very firm expression.
However, his expression is contrasted with the soft folds of the clothes draped over him. Many scholars and art historians consider this statue to be of great work and has been studied by in an attempt to contemplate the emotions of the artwork.
#10. The Dying Gaul; Capitoline Museums, Rome Italy
This sculpture of marble is believed to be a Roman copy of a Hellenistic bronze piece which was created towards the end of the 3rd century BC. Many artists have attempted to copy this marble art which depicts a fallen Celtic warrior leaning over his battle shield.
This is known to be an amazing display of the acceptance of death and the reality of battle from a soldier’s point of view.
Now that you have read the list of the 10 most famous sculptures and statues around the world, it is up to you to decide which one you think is the best out of all. Also feel free to let us know of any others that you think deserve a place amongst the most famous sculptures. Please leave your thoughts in the comments section.
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