Top 10 Most Iconic Sculptors in the World

Sculpture is an art form that originated in prehistoric times and has actively developed throughout human history. Many masterpieces that have become iconic have such ancient origins that it is impossible to determine their authorship. Examples include the Chinese Terracotta Army (dating back to the 3rd century BC but only discovered by chance in 1974) and two beautiful residents of the Louvre - the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo.

However, there are equally famous sculptures whose creators are well known to us. We will tell you about them.

Michelangelo and Donatello

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Michelangelo

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Donatello

The first two names that open our list of the top 10 most iconic sculptors in the world are well known to all art lovers. We are talking about the outstanding masters of the Renaissance - Donatello and Michelangelo. Both were very productive and created numerous masterpieces, but perhaps their most famous works are the statues of David. Donatello's sculpture is significantly older, dating back to 1430-1440.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Donatello. David, 1430-1440

As for Michelangelo, who created his David at the beginning of the 16th century, he managed to create one of the most copied works of art. In Florence, where the original is located, there are even two duplicates.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Michelangelo. David, 1501-1504

A well-known copy is also located on the waterfront in Copenhagen. It was given to the city by the brewer Carl Jacobsen in 1896.

Antonio Canova

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Antonio Canova

Great artists of the Renaissance were inspired by ancient masterpieces. This love was passed on to the next generations of sculptors, who took idealized representations of the naked form as their foundation. Antonio Canova, an Italian master, became one of the prominent representatives of classicism in sculpture.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Antonio Canova. Theseus and the Minotaur, 1781

During his lifetime, he held incredible authority. Despite critics accusing him of lacking "artistry," the public bestowed upon Antonio Canova the title of the "Supreme Minister of Beauty." Among his works, "Theseus and the Minotaur," "Cupid and Psyche," and "Pauline Borghese" can be highlighted.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Antonio Canova. Venus Victrix, 1805-1808

Frederick Bartholdi

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Frédéric Bartholdi

Sometimes, sculpture becomes much more famous than its author. Such a story happened with Frédéric Bartholdi, who rightfully deserves a place on our list. He is the creator of one of the symbols of the United States - the legendary Statue of Liberty.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Frédéric Bartholdi. Statue of Liberty, 1876-1886

Made of copper, the monument depicts the ancient Roman goddess Libertas.

Auguste Rodin

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Auguste Rodin

The next artist we will tell you about is Auguste Rodin. He is considered one of the "fathers" of modern sculpture. It is difficult to find a person who has not seen the sculpture "The Thinker" at least once in their life.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Auguste Rodin. The Thinker, 1880-1882

The legendary sculpture was conceived by the author as part of the composition "The Gates of Hell," based on Dante's "Divine Comedy." It was supposed to be called "The Poet" and depict Dante himself, but Rodin complicated his plan and created an image of the Creator without a real prototype. In 1906, "The Thinker" was placed in the Pantheon in Paris, and the author, presenting his work, unexpectedly declared that it was dedicated to French workers.

Stepan Erzya

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Stepan Erzya

Following the logic, it is now time to talk about a great sculptor who the press dubbed the "Russian Rodin" – Stepan Erzya. He made his mark in history not only through his artistic talent but also by working with an unusual material – kebracho. Spending a significant part of his creative life in Argentina, the master fell in love with this unyielding wood, the name of which literally translates to "break an axe."

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Stepan Erzya. Moses, 1932

Erzya is also famous for his ambitious projects to transform mountains into monuments. However, he was unable to realize them.

Umberto Boccioni

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Umberto Boccioni

The works of the Italian painter Umberto Boccioni, a sculptor and one of the leading theorists of futurism, are likely known only to art connoisseurs. However, his work with the challenging title "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" became a real hit. It is even depicted on the obverse of the Italian 20-cent coin.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Umberto Boccioni. Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, 1913

Constantin Brancusi

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Constantin Brancusi

When compiling a list of the top 10 most iconic sculptors in the world, we simply cannot overlook a figure like Constantin Brancusi. A legendary representative of avant-garde art, the founder of abstract sculpture, this French master of Romanian origin was a true star of his time. One of his most famous and scandalous works is the "Portrait of Princess X" – a sculpture that the French Ministry of Culture arrested several times for immorality.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Constantin Brancusi. Princess X, 1915-1916

By the way, Brancusi worked as an assistant to Rodin for some time but left him, stating that "nothing grows under a big tree."

Ernst Neizvestny

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Ernst Neizvestny

A cult figure in the history of Soviet art is undoubtedly Ernst Neizvestny, referred to as "degenerate art" by Nikita Khrushchev. Such an assessment greatly complicated the life and work of the master. However, after Khrushchev's death, Neizvestny generously agreed to fulfill the request of the politician's relatives and create a tombstone monument for him.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Ernst Neizvestny. Orpheus, 1961

The sculptor's most famous works include "Orpheus" (1962), the monumental composition "Prometheus and the Children of the World" (1966), created in Artek, and the "Mask of Grief" (1996) – a 30-meter memorial to the victims of political repression.

Alberto Giacometti

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Alberto Giacometti

Completing our list is the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. His sculpture "Walking Man I," created in 1961, was sold at a Sotheby's auction for a record-breaking £65 million. It is considered one of the master's most important works.

10 most iconic sculptors in the world. Alberto Giacometti. The Walking Man I, 1961

Of course, we have compiled only a provisional list of the top 10 most iconic sculptors in the world. There are numerous legendary works, and each of them has an author who deserves a place on our list.