The first creations of human hands, which can be called sculpture, appeared in prehistoric times and were idols that our ancestors worshiped. Over the past hundreds of thousands of years, the art of sculpture has reached unprecedented heights, and today in museums and on the streets of many cities in the world you can see real masterpieces that invariably arouse admiration of visitors and passers-by. So who of the famous Russian and foreign masters of different eras can claim that his name be categorized as “famous sculptors”, and which of their works are included in the golden fund of world art?
Famous sculptors of the ancient world
As already mentioned, the art of sculpture originated many millennia ago, as evidenced by the numerous stone and clay three-dimensional images of people, animals and mythical creatures found during archaeological excavations. Of course, no one knows who their authors were, but history has preserved the names of some of the great sculptors who worked in the period from the 14th century BC. e. and until the 1st century AD e.
For example, when asked who the most famous sculptors of the ancient world, among others, the great ancient Egyptian sculptor Thutmose the Younger is necessarily mentioned. He worked at the court of Pharaoh Akhenaten and created one of the most famous works of art of the Amarna period - a bust of Queen Nefertiti. Significantly more information is about who are the most famous sculptors of Greece and Rome of the ancient period. In particular, the masters Critias and Nesiot created in the 5th century BC. e. the magnificent composition of Garmody and Aristogiton, which subsequently more than once inspired sculptors of a later time. The great Phidias, who is the author of the statue of Zeus from gold and ivory, recognized as one of the wonders of the ancient world, achieved even greater heights in the art of sculpture. One cannot fail to note the enormous contribution to the development of ancient art made by such famous sculptors as Skopas, Praxiteles and Lysippos, who created the so-called quadriga of St. Mark. As for the Roman sculptors, most of their creations, for example the famous Apollo Belvedere, are copies from Greek originals.
Famous sculptors of the world: the Middle Ages
As you know, the beginning of the historical period after the fall of the Western Roman Empire was not the best time for the development of art. That is why no particularly significant sculptural works dating back to the 5-12th centuries are known today. Fortunately, over time, the dictates of the church began to weaken, and sculptures of saints and rulers appeared, the authors of which allowed themselves to depart from the strict canons of religious art and make their creations more realistic. As an example, you can bring such masters as the father and son of Pisano, who worked in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. And, of course, when it comes to who the most famous sculptors of the Gothic period are, one cannot help but name Adam Kraft, who created the magnificent altar of the Tetzel chapel.
Renaissance sculpting art
Perhaps there is hardly a person who does not know who are the most famous sculptors and their works of the Renaissance period. Indeed, such masterpieces as the statue of David and Pieta Michelangelo, copies of which adorn Catholic churches around the world, as well as the monument to Gattamelate Donatello and “Perseus” Benvenuto Cellini, belong to this era. Of the French masters, it is worth noting Jean Goujon and Germain Pilon, who worked under the influence of Italian colleagues.
Famous 18th century sculpture masters
The magnificent Trevi Fountain on the Palazzo Poli in Rome, considered one of the symbols of the Italian capital, is an excellent example of the sculpting art of the New Age. Its authors are Nicolo Salvi and Pietro Bracci, who performed the figure of Neptune and newts. In the 18th century, Antonio Canova also created, famous for his tombstones of the popes, as well as famous sculptors from France Edmond Bouchardon and Jean Baptiste Pigalle. As for the English masters, among them we can distinguish a kind of trio, consisting of John Flaxman, Joseph Nollekens and Thomas Banks.
19th century European sculpture
The beginning of the century before last was marked by the appearance of a bright star of world sculpture - Bertel Torvaldsen, who in 1803 introduced his "Iason" to the public. After a high-profile world debut, he became an extremely popular master among eminent customers from different countries, and during his rather long creative life he sculpted many excellent compositions and portraits of famous people. In particular, it is worth mentioning the huge frieze depicting the exploits of Alexander the Great, created by him in 1812 to decorate the Quirinal Palace.
When considering the question of who the most famous sculptors were and their works of the 19th century, the name of Auguste Rodin comes to mind one of the first. And this is not at all surprising, since his creations The Thinker and The Kiss are recognized as the greatest masterpieces of world art. As for the sculptors in Germany, L. Schwanthaler, who created many wonderful works decorating the palaces and other significant buildings of Munich, deserves special mention.
Sculptors of the 20-21st centuries
In the last century, the traditions of the great Italian masters were continued by Giacomo Manzu, famous for his creation of the “Gate of Death”, made for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. In addition, it is worth mentioning such masters as Jacques Lipschitz and Osip Zadkin, who worked in a surreal style. Alberto Giacometti, who created the Walking Man in 1961, which was estimated at Sotheby's auction at 104.3 million US dollars, also belongs to the category “The Most Famous Sculptors of the World”. Among the sculptors of the late 20th century, Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick and Barry Flanagan are also worth mentioning.
Famous Russian sculptors from the 18-19th centuries
It is not necessary to talk about the art of sculpting in Russia in the pre-Petrine era, since it simply did not exist. The foundation of St. Petersburg made us think about decorating its palaces and squares with sculptural compositions, as was customary in European countries, so foreign masters were invited to the court. Thus, the first famous “Russian” sculptors were foreigners. For example, we have reached several voluminous portraits, cast by the father of the future great architect - K. B. Rastrelli.
After the founding of the Second Academy of Arts by Catherine, the Russians began to study there. In particular, during the years of her reign, such pioneers of domestic art of sculpture as F. Shubin, M. Kozlovsky and F. Gordeev, who created the famous Samson, distinguished themselves. Especially many gifted masters appeared in the 19th century. In particular, it was during this period that such famous Russian sculptors created as M. M. Antokolsky, the author of the monument to Peter the Great in Peterhof, A. M. Opekushin, P. Velionsky, and also I. N. Schroeder.
Sculpture art of the Soviet and post-Soviet times
One of the most recognizable works of sculpture of the first half of the 20th century, of course, is the famous monument of Vera Mukhina “Worker and Collective Farm Girl” - a recognized masterpiece of socialist realism. No less interesting are the works of E. Vutechich, who created the “Warrior Liberator” for Treptower Park in Berlin and the world-famous statue “Motherland”, and M. Anikushin, the author of the monuments A. P. Chekhov and A. Pushkin, which was installed in Leningrad in 1957.
As for who are the most famous Russian sculptors of the post-Soviet period, Ernst Unknown, who, having started his work back in the Soviet era, was forced to emigrate to the United States, and his most significant work, “The Mask of Sorrow”, should probably be attributed to them. for the Magadan memorial to victims of Stalinist repressions - created in 1996. Another master of sculpture, which has been widely recognized in recent decades, is M. Shemyakin, among whose works the multi-figured composition “Children - Victims of Adult Vices” deserves special mention.