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30 Sculptures You (probably) Didn’t Know Existed
Content warning: I love stumbling upon art that feels like a hidden gem—those incredible sculptures that stop you in your tracks and make you wonder, “How did I not know this existed?” From massive figures seemingly rising from the earth to intricate works that play with
I love stumbling upon art that feels like a hidden gem—those incredible sculptures that stop you in your tracks and make you wonder, “How did I not know this existed?”
From massive figures seemingly rising from the earth to intricate works that play with gravity, these sculptures redefine what’s possible. Join me on a journey through 30 of the most amazing sculptures around the world, each with its own story and artistry that you probably didn’t know was out there.
1. The Statue of King Arthur, located in Tintagel, England, is a striking bronze sculpture by artist Rubin Eynon.
Erected in 2016, this statue stands on the cliffs of Tintagel Castle, a site steeped in Arthurian legend. The sculpture, named “Gallos” (meaning “power” in Cornish), depicts a cloaked and crowned King Arthur holding his sword, with his body appearing to merge with the landscape.
This artwork symbolizes the enduring power and mystery of the Arthurian legends that are deeply rooted in the area.
More like this: 9 Amazing sculptures by Bruno Catalano: Fragmented travelers
2. Albert György’s sculpture, Melancholy, captures the emptiness left by grief.
As John Maddox eloquently states, “We may look as if we carry on with our lives as before… but this emptiness is how we all feel… all the time.”
3. Christ of the Abyss is an extraordinary bronze statue created by Guido Galletti in 1954.
This unique piece rests on the seabed of the Mediterranean Sea, nestled between Camogli and Portofino on the Italian Riviera. Submerged beneath the azure waters, it continues to captivate divers and visitors with its serene and mystical presence.
4. This colossal sculpture was created nearly 450 years ago by Flemish sculptor Giambologna as a symbol of Italy’s Apennine mountains. Standing at nearly 14 meters (45 ft) tall, it was commissioned by Francesco de Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, in 1579.
Positioned above a pond, the statue features a chamber in its head where Francesco would sit and fish at night. When a fire was lit inside, the Colossus’s eyes glowed red, and smoke billowed from its nostrils, creating a striking visual effect.
5. The Christ the Redeemer statue, standing atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks.
This 30-meter (98 ft) tall statue, with arms stretching 28 meters (92 ft) wide, overlooks the city, symbolizing peace and welcoming all with open arms. Completed in 1931 and designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, it has become a symbol of Christianity around the globe and an enduring image of Brazil.
More: Christ the Redeemer: An Icon of Faith and Artistry
6. Not the most amazing statue, but definitely an amazing story. In Istanbul, Turkey, they made a statue to honor the famous stray cat (Tombili) that used to sit in this position and watch the passers by.
One month after its installation the sculpture went missing. A comment from Turkey MP Tuncay Özkan: “They stole the Tombili statue. They are enemies of everything beautiful. All they know is hate, tears and war”. The statue was safely returned a short time later. More photos here.
7. This eagle sculpture is the world’s largest bird statue, created by Indian artist Rajiv Anchal.
Located at Jatayu Earth’s Center in Kerala, India, the sculpture took a decade to complete. Spanning 200 feet in length, 150 feet in width, and 70 feet in height, this colossal work of art depicts the mythical eagle Jatayu from the Indian epic, Ramayana.
8. This stunning marble sculpture, Ajax and Cassandra, was crafted in 2022 by renowned Italian contemporary artist Jago.
The piece beautifully captures the dramatic moment between the Greek hero Ajax and the Trojan priestess Cassandra.
9. Sendai Daikannon in Japan, the eighth-tallest statue in the world at 100 meters (330 ft).
Its serene, watchful presence overlooks the quiet urban landscape, creating a striking contrast between its massive spiritual form and the everyday city life below.
10. The great challenge by Nicolas Lavarenne. Antibes, French Riviera.
This striking bronze sculpture depicts a dynamic, elongated figure balancing on the edge of a cliff, arms outstretched as if preparing to leap into the vast blue sea below.
11. This is how the Statue of Unity in India looks like. It’s the tallest statue in the world: standing at 182 meters (597 ft) tall, it’s nearly three times the height of the Statue of Liberty.
This monumental statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a key leader in India’s independence, stands on a massive platform with an observation deck, emphasizing its grandeur and scale.
12. This sculpture by Bruno Catalano
Portrays the profound emptiness experienced by migrants as they depart from their homeland—leaving their loved ones and their community behind—in pursuit of a better life:
More: 9 Fragmented travelers – Amazing sculptures by Bruno Catalano
13. The incredible statue of Neptune (Poseidon) in Gran Canaria, Spain
Statue of Neptune (Poseidon) in Gran Canaria, Spain, standing powerfully against the waves with a trident in hand. This impressive sculpture captures the mythical god of the sea in a commanding pose, evoking themes of strength and the majesty of the ocean.
More: The incredible ocean statue of Neptune (Poseidon) in Gran Canaria, Spain
14. Leshan Giant Buddha in China (800 AD) At 71 meters (233 ft) tall, this is the tallest pre-modern statue on Earth.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is carved into the cliffside in Leshan, Sichuan, China, overlooking the convergence of three rivers.
15. Close-up views of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s marble statue of David, housed in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy.
The dynamic sculpture captures the biblical hero mid-action, winding up to sling a stone. Bernini’s David is depicted with intense focus, furrowed brows, and clenched lips, conveying determination. The statue’s muscular arms and detailed hands grip the twisted ropes of the sling, showcasing Bernini’s skill in portraying tension and movement in marble. This statue contrasts Michelangelo’s famous David by capturing the hero in the midst of battle rather than in a calm, contemplative stance.
16. The Kiss of Death is a marble sculpture made in 1930 and found in Poblenou Cemetery, Barcelona.
This emotionally intense sculpture is renowned for its depiction of the delicate boundary between life and death, symbolized by Death’s kiss.
17. The Weight of Thought, bronze sculptures by Thomas Lerooy.
18. Victor Noir’s grave in Père-Lachaise cemetery, created by Patrick Magaud in 1984, has gained fame not for Noir’s journalistic work but for the legend surrounding his death and burial site.
Noir was a journalist shot dead, and his grave features a full-sized bronze statue of him lying down, as if recently shot. Over time, the statue became a fertility symbol.
Legend has it that kissing the statue on the lips, leaving a flower in Victor’s hat, and rubbing the genital area enhances fertility, improves one’s sex life, or helps find a husband within a year. This has led to the lips and trousers’ bulge on the statue becoming noticeably shiny from repeated contact.
In 2004, a fence was erected around the grave to prevent this practice, but public protest led to its removal. Victor Noir’s grave remains one of the most visited and talked-about monuments in Père-Lachaise.
19. The amazing handkerchief detail in this marble statue made by French sculptor Louis Philippe Mouchy in 1781.
Featuring a highly realistic handkerchief carved to appear as delicate lace, draped around the neck of the figure. The sculpture captures the fine details of the lacework, folds, and textures, showcasing Mouchy’s skill in replicating soft fabrics in hard marble, a testament to his mastery of the medium. The statue also displays the figure’s elaborate curls and formal attire, highlighting the elegance and refinement typical of 18th-century French sculpture.
20. The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, a renowned Baroque sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, located in the Cornaro Chapel of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.
This intricate marble sculpture depicts Saint Teresa of Ávila in a moment of religious ecstasy, her face expressing both pain and bliss as an angel holds a golden spear poised above her. Radiant golden rays crafted from gilded bronze descend from above, symbolizing divine light and adding dramatic intensity to the scene.
21. Luo Li Rong is a contemporary artist renowned for crafting hyper-realistic clay and bronze sculptures.
22. The Dignity statue in South Dakota, a stunning 50-foot-tall sculpture of a Native American woman draped in a star quilt.
The statue features a blend of metal and vibrant blue diamond shapes that catch the light, symbolizing the cultural heritage and spirit of the Lakota and Dakota people. The woman’s expression is serene, with her arms outstretched as if embracing the landscape around her.
24. Freedom Sculpture, Philadelphia
“I wanted to create a sculpture almost anyone, regardless of their background, could look at and instantly recognize that it is about the idea of struggling to break free. This sculpture is about the struggle for achievement of freedom through the creative process” — Zenos Frudakis:
25. The vision of Constantine by Bernini is arguably one of the most underrated sculpture in art history.
Gian Lorenzo revolutionized the art form by infusing unprecedented movement into stone.
26. The Mud Maid by Sue Hill, located in the Lost Garden of Heligan, Cornwall, UK.
Depending on the time of the year, the mud maid’s hair and clothes change when the seasonal plants and moss grow over the sculpture.
More: Mud Maid – Living sculpture by Sue and Pete Hill (5 photos and video).
27. Departure, a stunning bronze sculpture by artist George Lundeen, highlighted by the frost.
The sculpture is subtly highlighted by a layer of frost, enhancing the scene with a sense of cold and quiet intimacy, as if capturing a moment of departure or waiting.
28. The Resting Boxer, crafted more than 2,000 years ago, is one of the most realistic sculptures ever made and one of the finest examples of bronze sculptures to have survived from the ancient world.
It was excavated in Rome in 1885. Its incredible features, such as its pose, gaze, broken nose, cauliflower ears, scarred face, and bruised eyes, have been enchanting the world ever since.
30. The mesmerizing details of The West Wind, a surreal marble sculpture by American artist Thomas Ridgeway Gould.
Gould’s masterpiece likely drew inspiration from Percy Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind,” in which the west wind serves as an allegory for the cyclical nature of change and revolution:
More: Ghost sculptures in the castle of Vezio, Italy (12 photos)
Which sculpture is your favorite?
9 Amazing sculptures: Fragmented travelers by Bruno Catalano
Embracing the Journey: Bruno Catalano’s Vision
In the vast and versatile world of sculpture, few artists can make a claim to a style so unique that it becomes instantly recognizable. Bruno Catalano is one such artist. His bronze sculptures, characterized by their distinct fragmented form, have become a beacon of contemporary art, illuminating the themes of travel, migration, and journeying that are intrinsically woven into the human experience.Born in Morocco to a Sicilian family and later moving to France, Catalano’s life has been defined by movement and change. As a young man, he spent years sailing the seas, his voyages taking him to far corners of the globe. These experiences seeped into his art, creating a unique perspective that is both personal and universal.
His most famous series, “The Travelers,” embodies this perspective. Each figure, while physically incomplete, feels emotionally whole. These sculptures, with their substantial sections missing, are a metaphor for the artist’s own feelings of incompleteness caused by his extensive travels.
This article dives into the fascinating world of Bruno Catalano, exploring his inspiration, the development of his unique artistic style, and the profound impact of his work.
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Navigating Life’s Seas: Catalano’s Own Odyssey
Bruno Catalano was born in 1960 in Morocco, to a family of Sicilian origin. His early life was enriched by a vibrant blend of cultures, a foundation that shaped his perspective of the world and his understanding of identity. The intricate tapestry of his early experiences would go on to influence his artistic expression, forming the basis for his unique, fragmented sculptures.When Catalano was ten years old, his family relocated to Marseille, France, setting him on a path of migration that would significantly influence his work. Moving to a new country as a child is a transformative experience, one that often leaves lasting imprints. For Catalano, this transition shaped his perception of home, identity, and belonging, themes that would later become central to his art.
In his twenties, Catalano’s life took another dramatic turn as he became a sailor. He spent several years journeying across the globe, exploring the world’s vastness while experiencing a sense of detachment from his roots. The feeling of being scattered across various places, of leaving pieces of oneself behind with every move, is a sentiment that deeply resonated with Catalano.
His voyages on the sea were not just physical journeys but also emotional and psychological explorations. The experiences of constant motion, of witnessing new places and cultures, and of grappling with the feeling of being perpetually in transit profoundly impacted his personal and artistic development.
In many ways, Catalano’s life has been a series of voyages, each one leaving him a little more fragmented, a little more spread out across the globe. His personal journey, from Morocco to France and beyond, is not just a tale of geographical migration but also a profound exploration of the human condition, of identity and belonging, of home and displacement. These themes, so central to his life, have found a powerful expression in his iconic sculptures, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys and the fragments we leave behind.
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Connect and Discover: Join ‘Your Street Art Utopia’
For those who are moved by the beauty of Bruno Catalano’s sculptures and the world of sculptures, public art and street art, we invite you to join our Facebook group, Your Street Art Utopia. Share your unique street art finds, join lively discussions, and connect with fellow street art enthusiasts.8.
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Which one is your favorite?
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18 Stunning Land Artworks by Jon Foreman! (Nature’s Beauty in Stone Patterns)
Content warning: Which one is your favorite?
Discover the amazing world of Jon Foreman, where nature and art come together in incredible land sculptures.
Using stones, driftwood, and other natural materials, Foreman turns everyday landscapes into stunning works of art. He lives in Wales and creates art that shows how people and nature can work together. Each sculpture is carefully arranged with beautiful patterns and shapes that highlight the wonders of the natural world.
These artworks don’t last forever—the tides or weather often take them away soon after they’re made. Want to see more of Jon Foreman’s work? Check out his Instagram and visit his website to explore his stunning creations and learn more about his process!
Lux Tenebris
Jon Foreman: Created at Pensarn, Abergele. This was the last piece I made in 2021! I was glad to have gotten the chance to work on a large scale again, it had been a while! As ever I had an idea that changed as I progressed but I love that this one has curves going horizontally and vertically with a kind of half pipe effect (a curved ramp of stones either side). Also very lucky to have had the chance to capture the sea engulfing it. Although it was coming in very fast it was coming very calmly which allowed me to get plenty of photos, got my feet wet for this shot!
Crescent
Jon Foreman: Created at Lindsway Bay, Pembrokeshire. I’m so used to following the circle round further that its hard to break the habit. Glad to have managed it with this one though! It really feels like it merges into the sand, which is something that I’m not sure I’ve succeeded in doing in the past. At least not as well as this one.
Dissicio Quadratum
Created at Freshwater West.
Circumflexus
Jon Foreman: Created for Llano Earth Art Fest Texas. This is the most intensive work I’ve created and took four days to complete! I initially started with the largest stones making the back of the circle, as the stones got smaller I began to realise the time that would be involved. I’d love to know how many there actually are! Photo by Laurence Winram Photography.
Fluidus
Jon Foreman: Yes it looks like a jellyfish, no its not meant to be one. I’m not trying to suppress any imagination but for me I’m essentially trying to create something that doesn’t yet exist so that attachment to something that does exist gets on my nerves haha also feels like its oversimplifying the work a bit… But call it what you want haha!
This one was actually created before “Peruersum” (The 4 day piece created at LEAF) and is what Peruersum was based on. The difference being that I didn’t have the time fill a full circle for this one so I got the opportunity at LEAF. I love creating the familiarity between pieces of work without directly repeating something. Having said that, i don’t know that I could directly repeat a piece of work without it becoming a tiny bit different!
Also the sand was really annoying that day and every time I put a stone into the sand it created the cracks you can see between the stones, interesting effect i suppose
Acervus Circlus
Jon Foreman: Created at Freshwater West. I love working like this, finding colours that contrast well and placing on top of one another. Very satisfying work to do, showing freshwater Wests colours in a different way, although I usually add white too I thought amongst these white may stand out too much.
Expletio Duo
Jon Foreman: Created at Freshwater West. This piece is 1 in a 3 part set that I’m trying to get made. Many of you will have seen “Expletio” which is a single spiral using these same colours and this fractal style of working. I shall at some stage be creating the third in the set which will be a triple spiral in the same style! Anyway this one proved more fiddly than the previous version, I think I must have downscaled it a bit and that coupled with cold/windy weather made for difficult work. Got there in the end though!
Druid Spiral
Jon Foreman: Created at Druidston I love working with the slate at this beach, definitely has a different vibe and colour, I’ll have to get back there again soon!
Sinking Circle
Jon Foreman: Although I don’t consider myself an especially good photographer I’m very happy with how this one turned out, aside from the work itself looking good (and with this angle showing the incline more clearly) aside from the work I think I caught the atmosphere of the day which isn’t often very obvious in my work! Also love the water making the edge of the stones glow and they disappear into the distance, I’m all about depth within the sculpture why not outside the sculpture too.
Lumen
Jon Foreman: Created at Freshwater West. A couple of years back I created a very similar piece to this, the only difference being that the stones were previously placed flat. I feel the sense of movement is enhanced with them placed this way really radiating outward as they disperse.
Nether Flower
Jon Foreman: Created at Freshwater West. Couldn’t resist sharing this angle with the shadows! This one got a little bit messy in the middle because of the nature of the placement in the space available. I have to start in the middle and slot the next layer behind the previous so the more I add the less space there is in the small “hole” I made for this. So yeah they got a little bit squashed but I can live with that!
Above Below
Jon Foreman: Created at Freshwater West. Another mushroom creation, couldn’t resist making use of the massive branch of driftwood. Again these are just stones balanced on sticks accept where they go over the driftwood. A fun one for sure… More mushrooms to come!
Shroom Sheet
Jon Foreman: Created at Freshwater West I’ve done quite a lot now with shrooms, yes they’re stones balanced on sticks, no – its not as difficult as it seems! .. until you start putting them very close together… But until creating this piece I’ve yet to work with them while incorporating colour (or more precisely colour change) as with this one! I’ll likely do more at some stage!
Obnatus Luna
Jon Foreman: These stones are often buried under the sand when there’s been particularly high tides so I have to hope they’re not buried every time!
More: 6 Amazing Land Art Creations by Jon Foreman You Have to See
What do you think about this art by Jon Foreman? Should we do a blog post of his newer artworks?
12 Amazing Land Art Creations by Jon Foreman You Have to See
Explore 12 stunning land art creations by Jon Foreman, an artist from Wales who transforms beaches with natural materials like stones and sand.
From intricate circles to massive designs, his temporary masterpieces showcase the beauty of nature and creativity at its best. Let’s dive in and discover these breathtaking works! Make sure to follow him on Instagram!More: 18 Pics Of Land Art Sculptures by Jon Foreman
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“Below” at Lindsway Bay, Wales, UK
Jon Foreman: Wanted to do this one for a while, great to do this drawing style again and get lost in the process. Good weather always helps too. This illusion/composition isn’t nearly as complex as you’d expect, just a bunch of circles really. Then I just add in all the patterns like many of my previous works. There is however a mistake which is very easy to spot, I’ll leave that for you guys to work out.2.
“Extimus Lux”
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“Explosia” at Freshwater West, Wales, UK
Jon Foreman: Often I get to a location not knowing what I’m about to create, this was one of those days. Upon starting all I had in mind was to start with big stones and work my way down to small stones. After a while it became apparent that this was turning into a work very similar to that of Dietmar Voorwold (who btw you should all check out cause his work is awesome!) anyway my point is there are things that I do in land art such as playing with scale/ colour that lead me to places that have already been discovered and it was completely unintentional for it to look like his work, I tried to then add my own style to it by dispersing the stones. Once I got so far I had to finish it having spend a good few hours on it already. Anyway I hope its seen more as a nod to an awesome artist than me copying his work.4.
“Calefacio Stella” at Freshwater West, Wales, UK
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“Exspergo Luna” at Freshwater West, Wales, UK
[b][b]Jon Foreman: [/b]A very time consuming way of working, the stones being compact and interlocking makes for a more solid piece but I could resist a disperse inwards. For some reason this style reminds me of jelly beans. Probably cause of the randomness of the angles that they’re placed. Also, recalling the light from photographing a previous moon piece. I chose to wait a while seeing a cloud heading my way and went for the capture while the cloud was thin so that there would still be shadow, but not too harsh a shadow.6.
“Consumo” at Freshwater West, Wales, UK
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“Mushroom Path” at Druidston
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“Rubra Spiralis” at Sandy Haven.
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“Horarium” at Little Milford Woods with Layla Parkin.
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“Oculus” at Freshwater West.
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“Vortex” at Little Milford woods.
Jon Foreman: Definitely had some collapses with this one. Previous to this work I’ve made pieces to test the strength of the mud/clay that I gather from the river nearby. This shows it well, I used it to stick the sticks to the tree and the leaves to to sticks. Definitely enjoying the mushroom quality and the ability to work much more three dimensionally.12
“Fluentem Colos” at Little Milford.
More like this: George Washingstone Stone & Pebble Portrait by Justin Bateman (+8 more artworks)
Which is your favorite?
Jon Foreman (@sculpttheworld) • Instagram photos and videos
750K Followers, 5,929 Following, 988 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Jon Foreman (@sculpttheworld)www.instagram.com
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Llano Earth Art Fest. 15 800 ember kedveli · 17 ember beszél erről. Llano Earth Art Fest - Home of the World Rock Stacking Championship. Exciting Inspiriting Naturewww.facebook.com