Historical story

20 well-known and famous sculptures you need to know

Representation of a historical fact or a myth, sculptures have turned the cultural world upside down over the centuries. This noble art has seen the birth of many masters and to adorn sumptuous palaces and castles. I invite you to discover the TOP 20 of the most beautiful sculptures known throughout the world .

The Venus de Milo, Louvre Museum

This famous sculpture is undoubtedly the most famous in the world. This representation of the deity dates from the Hellenistic period, that is to say the period from 336 to 30 BC. Its discovery is the result of pure chance because it is a farmer who revealed to our modern world in 1820 in Milos, a small Greek island. Its particularity lies in the fact that the Greek goddess is presented mutilated, without her arms.

This magnificent statue representing the woman in her most perfect form has found its place in the Louvre Museum in Paris, thanks to the French Ambassador in Constantinople.

David, Florence

Famous work of Michelangelo, the famous sculpture of David did not nearly see the light of day. His story is surprising, you will quickly understand why. In 1464, Agostino di Duccio was commissioned to create a giant sculpture of a prophet to adorn the exterior of a cathedral in Florence . The project is colossal for him. He obtains a block of marble from the quarries of Carrara and begins his work. But he quickly realizes that the scale of this project is far too large. After 3 years of hard work, he finally abandoned the project. The marble block is finally taken over by Antonio Rossellino, who also gives up. The unfinished sculpture remains for almost 40 years in the cathedral in Florence, until a genius decides to tackle it. This is Michelangelo.

After 3 years of work, Michelangelo's David is born and reveals exceptional measures . The known sculpture is no less than 5.17 meters high. It finds its place in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, and becomes the most famous work in Italy.

The Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

This famous sculpture is one of the most monumental in the world. In addition to imposing itself by its size, the Sphinx also imposes itself by its history and its longevity . It has been proudly enthroned near the pyramids for more than 4000 years. The history of the Sphinx of Giza is unfortunately little known to historians. Historians agree that it would be a commission for the pharaoh Chephren of the Old Kingdom, who would have been represented through this sphinx. This theory is however not attested, nor is its author known. One thing is certain, this famous sculpture is one of the most beautiful wonders of Egypt .

Manneken Pis, Brussels

This sculpture is the most famous symbol of the city of Brussels. Who has not one day wished to see the Manneken Pis, this small 61cm statue which perfectly represents Belgian humor. Created in 1619 by Jérôme Duquesnoy, this famous sculpture was intended to adorn one of the many drinking fountains in the city .

To amuse the many tourists who come to admire him every day, the guardian of this naked little boy dresses him regularly. It must be said that he has a wardrobe that would make more than one woman jealous with no less than 950 outfits. Enough to dress her differently every day for almost 3 years.

The Thinker, Rodin Museum

Who has never imitated this famous sculpture by Auguste Rodin? The Thinker sits proudly in the garden of the Rodin Museum in Paris, welcoming visitors with an air of mystery . Originally, this sculpture was to represent the character of Dante in front of the gates of Hell, meditating on his poem. This large-scale project unfortunately never came to fruition. Despite everything, this work is known throughout the world and of all generations.

Apollo and Daphne, Rome

This sculpture, far from being a symbol of love, is nevertheless known as one of the most beautiful works in the world. This Baroque-style masterpiece elegantly represents the nymph Daphne who transforms herself into a laurel tree thanks to her father Zeus , in order to escape Apollo who is courting him. This sculpture by Bernini is presented at the Borghese Gallery in Rome, one of the must-see places in the Italian capital.

The Moai, Easter Island

This set of sculptures is undoubtedly the most enigmatic. The mystery of his presence has crossed the ages from country to country. The Moai make Easter Islandone of the most famous islands in the world . These 638 colossal sculptures made in tuff are on average more than 4 meters high. It was customary in the past to carve this kind of monoliths to honor the ancestors.

The Capitoline Wolf, Rome

It was in 1471 that this famous sculpture was offered to the Roman people, thus becoming a true symbol for the Italian capital. We see the famous wolf who raised Remus and Romulus , the founders of Rome. This bronze sculpture was originally created in the Middle Ages, but it was not until the 15th century that the two figures were added to the famous sculpture. You can observe it at the Capitoline Museum if you are visiting Rome for your holidays.

The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen

This famous sculpture by Danish Edvard Eriksen perfectly represents the character of the fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in the 19th century, the Little Mermaid. We can observe this mythical creature in a moment of nostalgia , torn between his world and the will to travel that of humans. To complete his work, the Danish was inspired by his wife, the dancer Ellen Price as well as the work of Henry Chapu Joan of Arc listening to his voices. This famous bronze sculpture of 125 cm can be seen in Copenhagen on the waterfront.

Statue of Liberty, New York

A sculpture known throughout the world and a true symbol of the city of New York, the Statue of Liberty is intimately linked to the history of this cosmopolitan city . At the end of the 19th century, immigration was at its peak, many new arrivals flocked to the port of New York. Édouard Lefebvre de Laboulaye and the Franco-American Union want to install a sculpture symbolizing freedom on Liberty Island. It is Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, French sculptor, who is in charge of this ambitious project. In 1886, this well-known sculpture was definitively installed and inaugurated. It represents a Greek goddess with a crown with seven points and a torch . Its dimensions are particularly impressive because this masterpiece measures no less than 93 meters.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington

Abraham Lincoln continues to watch over the American people and the capitol with this famous statue of 5.80m in height. He sits proudly in a temple made up of 36 columns representing the 36 states of the president's term. This famous sculpture is the work of Daniel Chester French, an American sculptor. He worked in 28 different blocks of marble to create this tribute to the former President of the United States , to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his death.

Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro

Like the protector of the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Cristo Redentor is undoubtedly the symbol of Brazil. In 1931, this famous sculpture was installed 710 meters above sea level, at the top of Corcovado Mountain . It is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country's independence that Silva Costa, in charge of the project, calls on Paul Landowski, a Franco-Polish sculptor, to create this monumental work. The artist will then make a reinforced concrete statue 30 meters high . It will take him 5 years of work to finally complete Christ the Redeemer, to the delight of visitors.

The Motherland in Volgograd, Russia

85 meters high and weighing 8000 tonnes:the dimensions of this well-known sculpture are impressive. It is the tallest statue in Europe. Built to commemorate WWII in Russia , it attracts thousands of tourists each year. But few are those who have had the opportunity to discover the interior of this famous sculpture. This allegory protecting the fatherland reveals inside a room with the names of 7200 soldiers who defended the city of Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad. The place where this famous sculpture was installed was not chosen at random . It was here that the bloodiest battle of the Second World War in Russia took place.

The Tian Tan Buddha, Hong Kong

This well-known monumental bronze sculpture offers a sumptuous landscape over the city of Hong Kong in China. This masterpiece depicts the Amoghasiddhi Buddha. It is a true symbol for this Chinese metropolis. This sculpture was built on the grounds of the Po Lin Buddhist Monastery on Lantau Island. It was in 1990 that its construction began, for 3 years of work. To celebrate the completion of this famous Chinese sculpture, a grand ceremony was given , bringing together many monks from all over the world.

Mount Rushmore, USA

If you go to South Dakota, you can meet 4 great American presidents:George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Carved out of a granite mountain over 1740 meters high , the portraits of these illustrious characters sit proudly and thus offer visitors a completely new landscape. This famous sculpture is the work of Robinson. It was commissioned to create a memorial , suggested by Doane Robinson in 1923.

The Terrace of the Lions, Delos in Greece

Unmissable places on the island of Delos, the Terrace of the Lions is a set of sculptures installed in the 7th century BC by the Naxians. Even if the public can observe 5 of them today, they were much more numerous at the start . Historians have trouble agreeing on the initial number:between 9 and 16 statues divided into two rows. Beware, however, of the illusion:the known sculpture presented to the public today is only a copy. The original statues, threatened by the elements, were placed in the museum in 1999 . But if you visit the island of Delos, these copies perfectly represent this jewel of heritage.

The Terracotta Army, China

This famous sculpture impresses more than one! 8000 Terracotta Warriors were discovered in 1974 in Shaanxi province, 35 km northeast of Xi'an city. It is undoubtedly one of the most surprising artistic discoveries of our world. Intended to protect the tomb of the first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, this well-known sculpture is a fabulous testimony to the Chinese military organization .

The Rape of Proserpina, Rome

It is a small piece of Versailles which is currently in Rome. This well-known sculpture, The Abduction of Proserpina, was commissioned by the Sun King. While he wishes to embellish the hunting lodge of his father Louis XIII , to make it the famous and exceptional Palace of Versailles, he paid particular attention to the gardens. He wants sumptuous statues to decorate his gardens. François Girardon will then collaborate with Le Brun to create The Abduction of Proserpine. This masterpiece reveals a dramatic event . While Proserpina, daughter of the goddess Ceres, is picking flowers near a lake, Pluto, god of the Underworld, falls in love with her. He then kidnaps her, to drag her with him into the Underworld and make her his wife. Cyané, a nymph close to Proserpine, tries to save the young woman, in vain.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Louvre Museum

This well-known sculpture is unquestionably the symbol of Greek art. It was discovered in 1863 by Charles Champoiseau, a French diplomat and amateur archaeologist. While digging on the island of Samothrace, in the northern Aegean Sea, he discovered this absolutely extraordinary statue . However, the absence of a signature on this famous sculpture does not allow us to know more about its history, its sponsor and its artist. The imagination then takes on its full meaning. The Winged Victory of Samothrace has found its place in the Musée du Louvre , for the enjoyment of all its visitors.

Perseus holding the head of Medusa, Vatican Museum

Inaugurated in 1554 in Florence, this famous sculpture represents a famous myth , that of Perseus triumphing over Medusa and presenting her head to the world. Cosimo I of Tuscany, who wanted to make a strong impression in Florence, asked Cellini to make this masterpiece.

You now know the most beautiful sculptures that our world has seen born. On Carnet d'Histoire, I also invite you to discover the 50 famous and famous paintings to know .