1. Venus de Milo
The Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek statue created between 130-100 BCE, depicting the goddess Aphrodite. This iconic sculpture is named after Milos Island in Greece where it was discovered in 1820. Only 16% of the original statue's fragments are known today. The statue's famous absence of a face has sparked much debate and speculation among historians and art enthusiasts alike.
2. David by Michelangelo
Created between 1501-1504, David is a Renaissance sculpture depicting the biblical hero David moments before he confronts Goliath. This monumental work showcases Michelangelo's exceptional skill and artistic genius. The statue stands over 5 meters (16 feet) tall and weighs around 16 tons, with an estimated 300 hours spent on its creation.
3. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Painted in the early 16th century, the Mona Lisa is one of the world's most famous paintings, not a sculpture. However, I'll provide information about another renowned Renaissance artwork - Last Supper - A large painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Jesus and his disciples on the last night before he was betrayed.
4. The Thinker by Auguste Rodin
Created between 1880-1902, The Thinker is an iconic bronze sculpture that originally depicted Dante Alighieri from Dante's Divine Comedy. The statue has undergone several transformations and now stands as a symbol of intellectualism and creativity in modern art. The original marble version of the piece weighs over 11,000 kilograms (24,400 pounds).
5. Easter Island Moai
Discovered on Easter Island between 1200-1500 CE, these massive monolithic human figures are believed to have been created by the Rapa Nui people. Each statue can weigh up to 80 tons and stand as tall as 30 feet, demonstrating exceptional engineering skills of the ancient civilization. Many of the statues face inland due to erosion concerns.
6. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo
Painted in the early 16th century, this fresco is part of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and illustrates a pivotal scene from the Book of Genesis. This renowned artwork showcases human anatomy, proportion, and emotion through divine interaction between God and Adam. Over 5 years passed to complete it.
7. Statue of David by Donatello
Crafted in 1408-1409, this bronze sculpture depicts the biblical hero David moments before he confronts Goliath. At the age of just 13 when creating this iconic artwork, Donatello demonstrated exceptional skill and imagination for a sculptor. The statue stands at around 4 feet tall.
8. Christ the Redeemer by Paul Landowski
Dedicated to Jesus in 1922, this Art Deco statue is built into a granite peak on one of Brazil's highest mountain tops. Constructed between 1921-1931 using over 635 metric tons of reinforced concrete and 635 cubic meters of soapstone. Local communities refer it as “Cristo Rei” 9. Great Sphinx of Giza - Believed to have been built during the Old Kingdom period, around 2500 BCE, this colossal limestone statue depicts a mythical creature with lion's body and human head of an Egyptian pharaoh. Approximately 240 feet (73 meters) in length, it is considered one of Egypt’s greatest architectural achievements.
10. Winged Victory of Samothrace
Sculptured between 190-180 BCE in the Hellenistic period, this famous statue symbolizes Greek culture triumphantly returning to Greece after a battle victory. Constructed using marble and bronze materials with several remaining unexplained parts – it stands around 2.5 meters high (8 feet).