Art has existed since the beginning of time, and ever since people have been able to forge bronze, they’ve used it to create beautiful sculptures. Here are a few of the most important bronze sculptures in the world today that have stood the test of time.
Charging Bull
Charging Bull is one of the largest bronze sculptures today, sitting at over 7,000 pounds of pure metal. It’s only a little over 30 years old, but it quickly became one of the most widely recognized sculptures. It’s more commonly known as the Bull of Wall Street because the sculptor, Arturo Di Modica, first put it on Wall Street to inspire hope that the market would continue to improve and that people should continue investing in the stock market. It quickly became synonymous with the stock market and the economy as a whole.
The Thinker
Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker is one of the most important and widely recognized bronze sculptures today. It has been continuously replicated and referenced in all forms of media, and 28 full-sized castings have been made to sit in locations around the world for people to see. The importance of The Thinker is undeniable.
Dancing Girl
This sculpture isn’t as widely known, but it’s one of the most important by far. This is the oldest bronze sculpture still in existence, dating back to about 2300 BCE. It’s from the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, which is located in what is today considered Pakistan. It’s one of the earliest sculptures from one of the earliest civilizations, and it reveals a lot about prehistoric art and the people of this era. Its undeniable influence gives great insight into some of the gender dynamics of the period, as other art pieces highlight men and strength, whereas Dancing Girl depicts a confident girl.
Statue of Unity
One of the single most influential sculptures today is the Statue of Unity. This sculpture is one of the newest ones on the list, having finished construction in 2018, but it has quickly gained recognition worldwide. It is the world’s tallest sculpture, standing at almost 600 feet tall, a little less than double the height of the Statue of Liberty. This piece honors Indian independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel, and the sculptors constructed it from almost 8 million pounds of bronze. This sculpture is one of a kind, and there will likely never be any other like it.
Bronze as a medium is essential in the history of art. The most important bronze sculptures in the world highlight just how significant bronze has been throughout history and reflect the artistry behind the craft of sculpting.
