Traveling, discovering new places, and immersing yourself in the culture and wisdom of others are the pleasures that life brings. If we could, we would always be learning more and more about the customs and history of our ancestors. Sculptures, for example, have the ability to transmit so much knowledge, thanks to how well they have been preserved over the years. Join us as we identify the most famous stone sculptures , those that marked a before and after in the history of art.
Different cultures and civilizations have left behind a multitude of sculptures, monuments, and other structures that continue to amaze us today. Here is a compilation of the most recognized.
David, the most famous Roman sculpture in the world
There's no doubt that, of all the stone sculptures that exist across the globe, the first one that comes to mind when someone simply mentions the word "sculpture" is Michelangelo's David. It was sculpted in the early 16th century and measures a whopping 5.17 meters tall. Impressive! From the 16th century, when it was sculpted, until today, it has been considered the ultimate representation of the ideal Western model of beauty.
The work depicts King David facing Goliath and, in its time, marked a turning point due to the influence of counterweight on the posture he adopted. Where can you visit it? At the Accademia Gallery in Florence.
The Statue of Liberty, the queen of contemporary sculptures
Located on Liberty Island, south of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty welcomes all who approach the Big Apple from the sea. In fact, it's located there because the sculptor wanted as many people as possible to see it, and he chose its location himself. This iconic symbol was a gift from France to the United States to commemorate the first centennial of the American Declaration of Independence and as a symbol of friendship and respect among nations. It stands 46 meters tall and weighs 156 tons—nothing short of nothing!
The Venus de Milo, the quintessential Greek sculpture
The Venus de Milo or the Aphrodite of Milos, nicknamed after the Greek island where it was discovered, is possibly the most famous Greek sculpture of all time. It was found by a farmer, unearthed, and sold to a French ambassador in 1820. However, it is believed to have been created sometime between 130 and 100 BC and depicts the goddess Aphrodite, or Venus in Roman mythology, goddess of love and beauty. The statue is 2.11m tall and is currently one of the sculptures at the Louvre in Paris that most fascinates visitors.
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil's main tourist attraction
Christ the Redeemer is one of Rio de Janeiro's most recognizable images. It stands more than 700 meters above sea level in Tijuca National Park, specifically at the top of Corcovado Mountain. It stands 38 meters tall and weighs approximately 1,200 tons; in fact, it's the largest work of art ever built. Although the idea of erecting a statue of Christ had been raised a century earlier, it wasn't revived until 1921, and construction began in 1926. Wow!
Want to know a super interesting fact about it? The heart is a perfect piece, and inside it is the family tree of Hector Levi, the builder responsible for the work. With this small gesture, the artist wanted to symbolize his and his family's dedication to Christ the Redeemer.
Plus, the gigantic stone statues of Easter Island
More than a sculpture, this is a group of more than 600 monolithic stone statues that surround a series of questions that have yet to be fully answered. Although it is unknown exactly when they were carved, the most widely held belief is that they were created by the Polynesian inhabitants of Easter Island (Chile), where they sit, between the 9th and 16th centuries.
Of all the statues, one stands out: the Moai Te Tokanga in Raraku. Even though it's not finished, it measures over 21 meters, and we've reached a weight of over 270 tons upon completion.
Stonehenge, the controversy of experts on the shape of the stone
Among the best-known stone monuments is Stonehenge, a group of large metamorphic rock blocks dating from the late Neolithic period. Construction began 5,000 years ago, and work continued intermittently for more than 1,500 years. Although the exact reason for its construction is unclear, the stone blocks are aligned to mark the sunrise and sunset during the winter and summer solstices. However, some historians and geologists suggest that it is actually an astronomical calendar, others suggest that it was used for religious ceremonies, and others believe it had medicinal purposes. We will probably never unravel the mystery behind it, but it is no less fascinating.
Famous sculptures that have marked a before and after
I wish we could see and visit with our own eyes each and every one of the monuments that are part of the world's Fine Arts and the history of sculpture . For now, we've set ourselves the goal of seeing all of the ones we just mentioned. Have you visited any of them? I'm sure you have! Tell us about it, it could be the sculpture that impressed you the most, and it'll be on your wishlist to visit.
Photo source: Wikipedia
