The most famous sculptors of the world and their work. Famous Russian sculptors

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The first creations of human hands, which can be called sculpture, appeared in prehistoric times and were idols worshiped by our ancestors. 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 around the world you can see real masterpieces that invariably arouse admiration among visitors and passers-by. So which of the famous Russian and foreign masters of different eras can claim to have his name included in the category of “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 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,however, history has preserved the names of some of the great sculptors who worked in the period from the 14th century BC. e. and up to the 1st century AD. e.

For example, when asked who the most famous sculptors of the ancient world are, the great ancient Egyptian sculptor Thutmose the Younger is necessarily mentioned among others. He worked at the court of Pharaoh Akhenaten and created one of the most famous works of art of the Amarna period - the bust of Queen Nefertiti. There is much more information about who the most famous sculptors of Greece and Rome of the ancient period are. In particular, the masters Critias and Nesiot created in the 5th century BC. e. a magnificent composition of Harmodius and Aristogeiton, which subsequently inspired the sculptors of a later time more than once. Even greater heights in the skill of sculpture were achieved by the great Phidias, who is the author of the statue of Zeus made of gold and ivory, recognized as one of the wonders of the ancient world. It is impossible not to note the huge contribution to the development of ancient art, which was made by such famous sculptors as Skopas, Praxiteles and Lysippus, who created the so-called quadriga of St. Mark. As for the Roman sculptors, most of their creations, such as the famous Apollo Belvedere, are copies of Greek originals.

Famous sculptors of the world: the Middle Ages

As you know, the beginning of the historical period that came after the fall of the Western Roman Empire was not the best time for the development of art. That is why there are no particularly significant works of art of sculpture dating back to the 5th-12th centuries today.known. 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 move away from the strict canons of religious art and make their creations more realistic. As an example, one can cite such masters as the father and son Pisano, who worked at the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th century. And, of course, when it comes to who the most famous sculptors of the Gothic period are, one cannot fail to name Adam Kraft, who created the luxurious altarpiece of the Tetzel Chapel.

The Art of Renaissance Sculpture

Perhaps there is hardly a person who does not know who the most famous sculptors and their works of the Renaissance period are. After all, such masterpieces as the statue of David and Pieta by Michelangelo, copies of which adorn Catholic churches around the world, as well as the monument to Gattamelata Donatello and “Perseus” by 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 their Italian colleagues.

Famous 18th century sculptors

The famous Trevi Fountain at the Palazzo Poli in Rome, considered one of the symbols of the Italian capital, is a magnificent example of the art of sculpture of the New Age. Its authors are Nicolo Salvi and Pietro Bracci, who made the figure of Neptune and tritons. In the 18th century, Antonio Canova, who became famous for his tombstones of popes, also worked, as well as famous sculptors from France Edmond Bouchardon and Jean BaptistePigalle. As for the English masters, one can single out a peculiar trio among them, 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 Thorvaldsen, who in 1803 presented his "Jason" to the public. After a high-profile world debut, he became an extremely sought-after 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 who the most famous sculptors and their works of the 19th century were, one of the first names that comes to mind is Auguste Rodin. 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 masters of sculpture in Germany, L. Schwanthaler deserves special mention, who created many wonderful works decorating palaces and other significant buildings in Munich.

Sculptors of the 20th-21st centuries

In the last century, the traditions of the great Italian masters were continued by Giacomo Manza, who became famous for his creation of the "Gate of Death", made for St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. In addition, it is worth mentioning such masters as Jacques Lipchitz andOsip Zadkine, who worked in a surrealist style. Alberto Giacometti also belongs to the category “The most famous sculptors of the world”, who created the work “Walking Man” in 1961, which was estimated at Sotheby’s at 104.3 million US dollars. Other sculptors of the late 20th century include Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick and Barry Flanagan.

Famous sculptors of Russia from the 18th-19th centuries

It is not necessary to talk about the art of sculpture in Russia in the pre-Petrine era, since it simply did not exist. The founding of St. Petersburg made us think about decorating its palaces and squares with sculptural compositions, as was customary in European countries, so foreign masters began to be invited to the court. Thus, the first known "Russian" sculptors were foreigners. For example, several three-dimensional portraits have come down to us, cast by the father of the future great architect - K. B. Rastrelli.

After Catherine II founded the Academy of Arts, Russians began to study there as well. In particular, during the years of her reign, such pioneers of the domestic art of sculpture as F. Shubin, M. Kozlovsky and F. Gordeev, who created the famous Samson, distinguished themselves. Especially many gifted craftsmen appeared in the 19th century. In particular, it was during this period that such famous Russian sculptors as M. M. Antokolsky, the author of the monument to Peter the Great in Peterhof, A. M. Opekushin, P. Velionsky, and I. N. Schroeder worked.

The art of sculpture of the Soviet and post-Soviet times

One ofThe 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 the Berlin Treptow Park and the world-famous statue “Motherland”, and M. Anikushin, the author of the monuments to 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, then, probably, Ernst Neizvestny, who, having started his work back in Soviet times, was forced to emigrate to the USA, and his most significant work - “Mask of Sorrow” for the Magadan memorial to the victims of Stalinist repressions - created in 1996. Another master of sculpture, who has received wide recognition in recent decades, is M. Shemyakin, among whose works the multi-figure composition “Children - Victims of Adult Vices” deserves special mention.