Sculpture is a very demanding craft. But the names and works of sculptors who are good at their work can have a worldwide impact. Although the number of such cases is not very large, there are many sculptors who have made a name for themselves around the world.
Of course, there are some reasons why the works are so famous. Many sculptors leave a beautiful story or mystery behind their work. The themes depicted can create striking situations in their own time. For this reason, we decided to investigate the world’s most famous sculptures and what kind of story they have behind them.
The most famous sculptures in the world:
Stunning with its mournful theme: The Exuberance of St. Teresa
Teresa was a Spanish nun, just like everyone else. But one day she began to claim that she felt God’s love, that she would rise to a lofty state, and that she saw divine visions. She expressed this claim in her writings. Exactly 40 years after her death in 1622, Pope Gregory XV canonized Teresa. This sculpture was made to address one of the visions Teresa described. A highly successful example of the Baroque style that emerged around the 17th century, St. Teresa’s Exuberance reflects a very high amount of drama and emotion, making it one of the most impressive sculptors of all time.
By a young genius: Pieta
Michelangelo is undoubtedly one of the greatest sculptors of all time. Michelangelo, who was active especially in the Renaissance period, was only 24 years old when he made the Pieta, which is considered one of the world’s greatest masterpieces at the same time. The work created by the young genius left everyone with mixed feelings of surprise and admiration. The Pieta, which has a Christian theme, depicts the body of Jesus, who was crucified in the lap of the Virgin Mary. This famous work is also known as a very mournful statue, as it depicts the mourning of the Virgin Mary for Jesus.
With its delicate and aesthetic stance: Bronze David
Donatello is considered one of the founders of Renaissance works. In addition to being one of the most prominent sculptors of this period, he was also one of the leading figures of the period. The Bronze David was the first unsupported standing work of the Renaissance-era bronze casting style. It was also the first large-scale free-standing nude sculpture in many years. The statue itself was inspired by the story of David and Goliath. David poses with his sword in a flamboyant pose, with his foot resting on the head of the defeated Goliath. David himself is completely naked, except for a hat and a pair of boots. One of the striking features of the statue itself is that while David has such a slender body, his sword is very disproportionate compared to himself. But the message to be brought to mind here is this: God’s help is available in achieving this success.
The Great Sphinx with many mysteries behind it
The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the largest and most influential statues in history. The Sphinx statue is known as a mythical creature with a lion’s body and a human head. It is known to be 73 meters long from the claw to the tail, 20 meters from the base to the top of the head, and 19 meters wide at the hind hips. The Great Sphinx is one of the oldest sculptures made in Egypt and has a monumental feature. But despite being such a famous statue, its story is quite enigmatic. Not many details are known about the monument. Scientists, on the other hand, are in a great debate about who it was made for. The most popular among these views is that it represents Khafre, the pharaoh of the 4th dynasty in the Old Kingdom, so it was built during his reign.
The great symbol of Christianity: Jesus Christ
Catholic communities in Rio de Janeiro suggested and requested that a statue of Jesus Christ be built on Rio’s Corcovado mountain. Its height would be an average of 700 meters, so that the statue would be easily seen from all parts of Rio. Many people took part in the making of this statue. Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa was chosen for the design, while French sculptor Paul Landowski was responsible for the creation of the piece. The job did not end there. French engineer Albert Caquot was also involved, while Romanian sculptor Gheroghe Lenoda also sculpted the face of the statue. While Christ the Redeemer is known worldwide as the most widespread representation of Christianity, it has become a cultural legacy of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Along with its interesting theme: Manneken Pis
Yes, you didn’t get the wrong idea while reading. The statue’s name really literally means ‘Peeing boy’ or ‘Peeing little man’. As for the description, you are right again. It describes a little boy urinating in a fountain. Located in Brussels, the statue is considered a reflection of the rebellious spirit of Brussels and is seen as one of the city’s attractions. Due to its popularity, the statue’s own charm, which also hosts many different legends, gained great importance at the end of the 17th century and its popularity began to increase worldwide.
Known for his strong stance: The Thinker Man
Auguste Rodin was one of the most important people of his time. In modern sculpture, it was a finger-pointed figure. This was not exactly the theme when Rodin first designed the sculpture. His first thought was to be part of The Gates of Hell commission in 1880. Rodin based it on Dante’s Divine Comedy. As a result, some critics say The Thinker actually depicts Dante. Despite his contemplative appearance, the Thinker Man, who displayed a strong attitude with his physical features and stance, became one of the most famous sculptures ever known.
One of the great works of the mythological theme: Venus of Milo
This statue, believed to represent Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythology, was rumored to have been discovered on April 8, 1920 by a villager named Yorgos Kentrotas. The statue was found in pieces in Milos, one of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, and was given to the King of France XVIII. It is known that it was presented as a tribute to Louis. The King gave it to the Louvre, where it is still on display today. The statue is believed to have been made by Alexandros, one of the rising sculptors of the Hellenistic period.
Exceeding expectations: Statue of David
In 1501, Michelangelo was given a mission. This task was to make a statue to adorn the roof of Florence’s cathedral dome. But when the statue was finished, it exceeded expectations so much that the government decided to display the statue in a much better place and place it in a large area next to the Palazo Vecchio, the Florence city hall. The statue depicts David before he fights Goliath. The statue was moved to the Academy Gallery in Florence in 1873. In 1910, a replica was placed in place of the original.
Artwork symbolizing freedom: Statue of Liberty
Although the meaning of freedom is interpreted in many different ways around the world, it can be one of the rare things that everyone wants to achieve in common. This copper statue, which has been seen as a symbol that characterizes the French Republic since the French Revolution, was designed by the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. It was gifted to America by France on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Its construction was done by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel. The statue depicts the Roman goddess Libertas with the torch in her right hand. In his left hand, he carries a tablet with the history of the United States. The statue, which is one of the great symbols of America, shows itself on the country’s coins and stamps.
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