A Look at 14 Unique Sculptures from Around the World

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There is artwork that will impress and inspire you, and then there is artwork that will leave you speechless and overwhelmed with emotion. It depends on the piece and the person’s immediate connection to it. 

However, numerous awe-inspiring sculptures and statues worldwide will make your jaw drop and leave you to ponder their creation, wanting to know more about the artist who created the masterpiece and what inspired them to create such beauty and joy. 

1. Gallos Sculpture, England

Otherwise known as the Statue of King Arthur, the “Gallos” sculpture is at Tintagel Castle in North Cornwall, England. Artist Rubin Eynon created the 8-foot-tall bronze piece. 

While it’s commonly associated with King Arthur, the ‘Gallos’ sculpture, according to its owner, English Heritage, does not represent a single individual. Instead, it serves as a testament to the rich history of the site it graces. North Cornwall, a believed summer retreat for the kings of Dumnonia, holds a significant place in England’s history.

2. Melancholy, Switzerland

On the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, sits one of the most poignant and heart-wrenching sculptures ever forged. “Melancholy” by Romanian artist Albert György depicts the deep sadness that lives within us all when we experience grief or loneliness.

The copper figure sits hunched over on a bench with a massive hole in his torso. Gyorgy created the beautiful piece of artwork after losing his wife and working through the intense grief and isolation he felt.  

3. Christ of the Abyss, Mediterranean Sea

The “Christ of the Abyss” is a wholly submerged bronze statue depicting Jesus Christ. Located in the Meditteranean Sea off the coast of Italy near Portofino, the eight-foot statue was constructed in 1954 by artist Guido Galletti.

It depicts Christ offering a benediction of peace with his head and hands raised skyward. Due to corrosion and crustacean growth, it was removed from the water, restored in 2003, and returned a year later. Since the original placement, two similar statues have been submerged in Grenada and Key Largo, Florida. 

4. Appennine Colossus, Italy

The 11-meter-high Appennine Colossus, created in 1580 by Flemish sculptor Jean de Boulogne, is located on the Villa Demidoff estate in Tuscany, Italy. Many believe that the mammoth carving personifies the Apennine Mountains. 

The colossus resembles an elderly man crouched at the shore of a lake surrounded by sculptures depicting mythological motifs from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, including Pegasus, Parnassus, and Jupiter.

5. Cristo Redentore, Italy

Cristo Rendetore, or the Christ of the Redeemer of Maratea, Italy, is the third tallest statue of Jesus in Europe. The Florentine sculptor Bruno Innocenti made it of Carrara marble, and stands just shy of 70 feet tall atop the Mountain St. Biagio.

While visiting Brazil, Count Stefano Rivetti di Val Cervo realized that Italy also required a massive sculpture of Christ and commissioned Innocenti with the undertaking. The statue has become the symbol of Maratea ever since. 

6. Tombili the Street Cat, Turkey

Tombili, which means chubby in Turkish, was a street cat in Istanbul that passed away in 2016. He was internationally known for the iconic photograph that captured him in a recline on street stairs. He was a beloved creature by all who met him, although some believe he was actually a she. 

After his passing, the residents of Istanbul signed a petition to honor his memory, which received 17,000 signatures. The mayor commissioned a local sculptor, Seval Sahin, to recreate the iconic cat’s pose. The statue was stolen, but amidst outcries, it was eventually safely returned.  

7. Jatayu, India

In India’s Jatayu National Park sits the largest bird sculpture in the world. It is known as Jatayu, a demigod in the Hindu epic Ramayana who takes the form of either an eagle or a vulture. 

Sculpted by Indian artist Rajiv Anchal, this magnificent piece is 200 feet long and 70 feet tall. The rock-theme park is open to the public, and the Eagle statue has been accessible since its completion in August 2018. 

8. Ajax and Cassandra, Italy

One of the most inspiring and impressive sculptures ever created is that of Ajax and Cassandra, sculpted by Italian artist Jago. The sculpture depicts a tragic scene from Greek mythology, where Ajax, a hero of the Trojan War, tries to abduct Cassandra, a princess of Troy, from the temple of Athena. The sculpture is part of Jago’s series of works inspired by classical themes and characters but with a contemporary twist. 

The four-foot-high sculpture, made of Carrara marble, was completed in 2022 and is currently exhibited at the Church of Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferi in Naples, Italy. 

9. Sendai Daikannon, Japan

At 330 feet, Sendaii Daikannon is the largest statue in Japan and the 8th largest statue in the world. It depicts a Buddhist Goddess bearing the Kintamani gem.  

Visitors must pay a small entry fee to view this magnificent statue. The first floor also showcases many statues of Buddha and mythical kings. Visitors can take an elevator to the 12th level and then walk down the stairs and ramps to the ground. At each level, eight Buddhas—108 in total — are displayed in timber cabinets. 

10. The Great Challenge, France

French artist Nicholas Lavarenne sculpted the stunning bronze sculpture “The Great Challenge” in 2016. This masterpiece and 18 other bronze pieces by the artist adorn the streets and buildings in Antibes, France, located on the French Riviera.

Laverenne has exhibited his work worldwide, from France to the rest of Europe and the United States. His workshop is located in the South of France. 

11. Statue of Unity, India

The world’s largest sculpture is the Statue of Unity, located near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India. Depicting the image of statesman and Indian independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel, this incredible statue is a testament to the resilience of the Indian people. 

The construction of the piece began in 2013 by the Indian company Larsen and Toubro and cost approximately $422 million to complete by 2018. 

12. The Travelers, Worldwide

You may have seen one of these surrealist bronze sculptures in your travels as they spread worldwide. French artist Bruno Catalano created these masterpieces to reflect his own story as an immigrant from Morocco. 

Each sculpture has a missing piece of its body, which represents a migrant’s story of how they leave a piece of themselves behind when they immigrate to a new country and leave their heritage behind. These remarkable pieces can be found in France, Canada, and Italy. 

13. Neptune, Grand Canaria, Spain

As a young boy, sculptor Luis Arencibia used to swim to the south side of Melenara Beach in Telde, just off the coast of Gran Canaria, Spain, to the volcanic rocks jutting out. 

Many years later, Arencibia created a 13-foot bronze sculpture of Neptune, also known as Poseidon, to stand tall in the same spot he swam to as a child. The King of the Ocean stands proudly as the surf crashes into him, and he watches over his realm. 

14. The Kiss of Death, Spain

Another unique marble sculpture, The Kiss of Death, was crafted by Jaume Barba in 1930. Located inside Barcelona’s Poblenou Cemetery, it represents “death” as a winged skeleton shocks a young man by bestowing the kiss of death. 

This sculpture holds a significant place in history as it marks the resting place of Josep Llaudet Soler, a prominent businessman in Spain. Interestingly, a poignant poem by renowned Spanish poet Jacint Verdauger is etched on the base of the tombstone. The poem beautifully captures the experience of death, stating that ‘a person’s youthful heart can no longer continue, their blood slows and freezes, their spirit embraces lost faith, and they feel the kiss of death as they fall.’ 

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