World’s 5 Most Famous Statues

In ancient history, people did everything that they can in order to commemorate something or someone. Through the making of large statues, humans were able to put a large mark in history by letting people know about their victories, their hardships, as well as their wealth. With the number of famous statues that you can see in the world, it would take you a whole lifetime as well as a king’s fortune to see them all. However, if you want to see the ones that really matter, you should read further into this article as we count down the best statues that everybody should see before dying.

1. Statue of David

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This statue is made by the artist named Michelangelo back in the renaissance period. It stands 5.17 meters tall and it is made out of marble. The statue depicts the biblical character named David before his fight with the monstrous Goliath. The whole thing is a nude statue of David in which he stands firmly on one foot and relaxed on the other. His face looks as if he is ready for battle with his slingshot hung over the shoulders. The great thing about this statue is that it is anatomically accurate with regards to proportions of the human body.

2. Spring Temple Buddha

This is currently the tallest statue in the world and it stands about 128 meters. It depicts the Vairocana Buddha. This statue is relatively new as it was finished around the year 2002. A lot of money was spent in the building of this monument and it was recorded that the whole project costs around $55 million. The whole statue stands on top of a monastery and it is called as such because of its location near the Tianrui hot spring.

3. Mount Rushmore

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeshuanace/1833665209/
The US Nation is truly proud of this statue since it depicts four of its greatest presidents namely, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The whole thing is made out of granite and it measures about 18 meters. The main reason for its creation is to boost the tourism in South Dakota. The original design was supposed to include the torsos of these people but unfortunately, insufficient funding left them with only the creation of the heads.

4. The Mamayev Monument

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musatych/400062817/
This statue used to be the largest monument in the world before the spring temple Buddha was created. The whole thing stands 52 meters and a lot of experts say that this is a very complex monument in terms of its architecture. It depicts a woman holding a sword with her right hand raised and the left hand outstretched as if calling people to battle. This is a commemorating statue of the battle of Stalingrad.

5. Great Sphinx of Giza

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This is the oldest among the five and also a bit different from the bunch. The statue depicts the mythical creature named the sphinx. It has the body of a lion and a head of a human being. It stands over 73.5 meters and is believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians. The statue used to be buried completely under the sand but today it is completely dug up and the whole figure of the sculpture can be seen from afar.

All of these statues are amazing. You would sometimes wonder how people are able to do this huge feats and how these structures are able to stand the test of time. Whatever the case may be, it is a must for you to see these statues while you are still alive.

If you are looking for something just as appealing but maybe not quite as extravagant many people are now opting to have marble worktops and tiles fitted in their kitchen. Whilst it’s no sculpture marble is a wonderful material that has a certain beauty in and of itself.

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Europes Top Destinations For Art Lovers

Art is timeless, beautiful and something to be cherished. Europe has long been known for its incredible art, both in the buildings and found in museums. Rich with history, the artwork of Europe is more than just incredible paintings and sculptures; it’s a connection to the past. Here are the top European destinations for art lovers.

Paris, France:
There’s more to Paris than the Louvre. While this historic museum is home to the Mona Lisa and is a must-visit stop if you are in the city, it should not be the only stop on your art tour. The National Museum of Modern Art at Le Centre Pompidou features works by Picasso and Magritte. Here are a few of the other artistic spots worth visiting when you are in the City of Lights.

- Musee National Picasso – Housing the largest collection of works by Pablo Picasso in the world, this museum gives a glimpse into the artist’s life and the artwork that inspired him.
- Cathedrale de Notre-dame Charters – Artwork isn’t limited to canvas and marble. This world-famous cathedral features incredible artwork in its stained glass windows.
- Chateau de Versailles – Home to the Sun King, Louis XIV, this palace allows you to see the opulent and artistic world that once was the regular home of royalty.

Florence, Italy:
Known for its role in the Renaissance, Florence is still considered one of the most beautiful cities throughout the world. Michelangelo’s David can be viewed in the Galleria dell’ Accademia (Academy Gallery) and the Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Galleries) features art by Giotto, Raphael and Botticelli.


Vatican City, Italy:
Home to the Vatican Museums, Vatican City features more than 3,000 years of art. From the Sistine Chapel to sections of the Papal Palace, there is an incredible amount of artwork here that will take your breath away. Here are a few of the items you can rejoice in when you add this city to your travel agenda.

-Sistine Chapel – The ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo are a must-see for any art lover. Artwork by Perugino and Botticelli is also featured in this chapel.
- The Matissse Room – Found in the Vatican Museums, it is home to The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, the only religious work conceived by the French artist.
- Witness restorations of great art, such as the Bernini Angels.
- The Room of the Immaculate features frescoes painted by Francesco Podesti.
- The Egyptian Museum contains art dating back to the ancient Greeks.

St. Petersburg, Russia:
The Russian royal family collected one of the largest and finest art collections in the world. There are more than three million items house in the State Hermitage Museum, inkling pre-historic art and post-modern pieces. The art spans much of the European and Asian continents. Visitors can also tour the Winter Palace and Main Museum Complex.

Every city features amazing artwork that connects us to the history of the world and to each other. The artwork will awe, intrigue and inspire. It will take your breath away and give you pause for thought. Scheduling a trip to see these top art destinations in Europe will simply leave you amazed and with memories you will treasure for a lifetime.

Will writes on behalf of a number of creative businesses including Absolute product, Absolute sell art gallery supplies and museum supplies such as picture hanging systems, art barriers, gallery products and specialist art display systems.

The 5 Most Influential Paintings in History

Art has inspired cultures throughout the world for thousands of years. From religion to inspiration, many opinions have been built upon works of some of the world's artists. While art is subjective in nature, we've put together our list of the top 5 most influential paintings in history. The influence a piece of art can have on the world is immense, with the story behind these paintings definitely worth a read.

1. The Scream
The Scream is a series of paintings and prints created by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch from 1893 to 1910. Its iconic images depict a screaming figure against a blood-red sky. Although the figure's pain is clear, commentators have advanced many theories regarding the source of the agony; the proximity of a slaughterhouse and a madhouse close to the depicted scene offer one possible explanation. The various renditions of The Scream have also been involved in multiple high-profile art thefts. One version was stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in 1994 and recovered several months later; another disappeared from the Munch Museum in 2004 and was recovered in 2006.

2. The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh completed this world-renowned work in 1888. It depicts the village of Saint-Rémy under a swirling, starry sky. Although Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime, the posthumous influence of his art is indisputable. Currently displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, The Starry Night is the most famous and arguably greatest work from the impressionist era. The piece has been reproduced multiple times and has inspired many pages of commentary. Its popularity and influence have grown vastly over the past century.

3. The Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece is perhaps the world's most famous painting, and one of its most influential. It depicts Lisa del Gioncondo, a wealthy Florentine woman. Today the painting is on permanent display at the Louvre in Paris, where over six million visitors come to see it every year. In 1911, Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia stole the painting and, two years later, attempted to sell it to the directors of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Besides this famous theft, the painting has inspired a 1929 film, <i>The General Line</i>, along with multiple parody and referential works by other renowned artists.


4. The Last Supper
Another Da Vinci piece, The Last Supper was completed in the late 15th century. It depicts Jesus Christ's famous last meal, at which he announced that one of his disciples would betray him. In addition to portraying one of the most significant events in Christianity, the Last Supper has been the source of plenty of debate regarding the person seated to Jesus' left. While most art historians agree that the figure is John the Apostle, another popular theory claims that the figure is Mary Magdalene. This theory is at the center of Dan Brown's 2003 novel, The Da Vinci Code.

5. The Creation of Adam
Michelangelo painted his masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel from 1508 to 1512. This painting, one of the most famous in the world, depicts nine scenes from the Book of Genesis. Perhaps the most famous of these scenes is the one in which God breathes life into Adam. Over its long history, this painting has been the subject of innumerable references and parodies. Most recently, the image has been adopted by Pastafarians, who replace the image of the Christian God with their Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Rebecca is an interior design expert, specialising in the selection of paint colours, textures and designs for feature walls that really make a difference. She takes her influence from historical pieces and transforms them in to a piece of your home that will be the envy of all your friends. With the careful selection of each step from the undercoat through to the selection of enamel paint and other finishes, she provides you with one of the best in the business.