If you love art, then it’s a given that you have some appreciation for sculpture.
That said, there are many different types of sculptures in the world, and knowing about them will only make your list of favorites grow longer.
In this article, we’re going to talk about 10 historic sculptures that everyone should know about. The following list is in no particular order.
1. The Discus Thrower
The Discus Thrower is a life-size sculpture that was created by the Greek sculptor Myron circa 446–440 BC. It’s made of bronze, and it depicts a young man about to throw a discus.
The sculpture is considered to be one of the greatest examples of Classical Greek art, and it’s currently on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece.
2. The Venus de Milo
The Venus de Milo is a statue that was discovered on the Greek island of Milos in 1820. It’s believed to have been created by Alexandros of Antioch between 130 and 100 BC.
The statue is made of marble, and it depicts the Greek goddess Aphrodite. It’s currently on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
3. The David
The David is a life-size sculpture that was created by the Italian artist Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. It’s made of marble, and it depicts the Biblical hero David.
The sculpture is considered to be one of Michelangelo’s greatest works, and it’s currently on display at the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy.
4. The Old Market Woman
The Old Market Woman is a life-size sculpture that was created by the French artist Auguste Rodin in 1882. It’s made of bronze, and it depicts an elderly woman selling vegetables at a market.
The sculpture is currently on display at the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City, Mexico.
5. The Thinker
The Thinker is a life-size sculpture that was created by the French artist Auguste Rodin in 1880. It’s made of bronze, and it depicts a man deep in thought.
The sculpture is considered to be one of Rodin’s most famous works, and it’s currently on display at the Musée Rodin in Paris, France.
6. The Pietà
The Pietà is a life-size sculpture that was created by the Italian artist Michelangelo between 1498 and 1499. It’s made of marble, and it depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus Christ.
The sculpture is currently on display at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
7. The Moses
The Moses is a life-size sculpture that was created by the Italian artist Michelangelo between 1513 and 1515. It’s made of marble, and it depicts the Biblical figure Moses.
The sculpture is currently on display at the church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome, Italy.
8. The Bronze Horseman
The Bronze Horseman is a life-size sculpture that was created by the French artist Étienne Maurice Falconet in 1766. It’s made of bronze, and it depicts Peter the Great on horseback.
The sculpture is currently on display at the Senate Square in St. Petersburg, Russia.
9. The Great Sphinx of Giza
The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue that was built in Egypt around 2500 BC. It’s the largest monolith statue in the world, and it depicts a sphinx—a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human or a god.
The Great Sphinx is currently on display in the Giza Plateau, Egypt.
10. The Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-size sculptures that were created in China between 210 and 209 BC. It consists of over 8,000 soldiers, horses, and chariots, and it was built to protect the tomb of the First Emperor of China.
The Terracotta Army is currently on display at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi’an, China.
