Man has been creating statues since immemorial, making them an important part of our existence. Statues come in different sizes and shapes – some are as big as a large sculpture named the Lion Man, while others can be as small as the popular virgen de guadalupe statue.
Statues can be small, portable, and used to decorate our surroundings – gardens, houses, etc. Others are grand sculptures erected in significant places worldwide to represent several things, such as historical happenings, influential people, religious deities, and even to tell a story. In fact, two of the actual Seven Wonders of the World were statues, and they are – the Statue of Zeus and the Colossus of Rhodes.
There are several famous statues worldwide, but we’ve put together five of them in no particular order. Enjoy!
Statue of Liberty
We’ll begin here because almost everyone has heard of the Statue of Liberty standing tall and proud in America. Contrary to what people think, this statue wasn’t built in the US; instead, it was a gift from France to celebrate America’s 100 years of Independence. It sits on Liberty Island, which is why it’s called the Statue of Liberty.
This statue depicts a woman wrapped up in a stola, with a crown on her head and sandals on her feet. There’s a trampled chain underneath her feet, and in her right hand is a raised torch and a tablet in her left. It’s one of the first sights you’ll see if you’re visiting America.
David Statue
The famous artist, Michelangelo, created this Renaissance masterpiece between 1501 and 1504. This sculpture is a nude representation of King David in the Bible. Most artists have built statues of David after his battle with Goliath, but Michelangelo chose to create an image of the king before his battle, thinking about his upcoming fight with the giant. That statue was originally located at Piazza Della Signoria, but to preserve it, the image was moved to the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy. A replica was then made and placed at the original site.
Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is another famous statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This statue was erected between 1922 and 1931 with soapstone and concrete. You’ll find this image of Christ standing tall and proud on the Corcovado Mountain at the Tijuca National Park, and it’s reportedly one of the tallest statues in the world. The statue is associated with Christianity and is a tourist site in Brazil.
The Thinker
Built by Auguste Rodin, The Thinker is a work of art that depicts a naked male figure sitting on a stone pedestal, his hand holding up his chin in deep contemplation. A museum and a lush garden surround this over-life-size bronze sculpture. You can find this stone in the heart of Paris, so it’s a good place to go if you’re visiting the area.
Conclusion
Statues are beautiful, crafted rocks that tell a lot of stories. And they are a source of pride to the artist and the country it’s located in. While these statues mentioned above are massive and immovable, you can always buy some miniature ones to decorate your surroundings.