15 facts that could change your opinion about world famous statues

It is possible to find a hidden meaning and some interesting details in every artwork. Sometimes, however, the origin of a painting, book, or song is no less interesting than its creator’s own intention. Many are interested in and are experts in painting, music and film, while sculptures are sometimes not given much attention. Despite this, famous statues can have stories as impressive as an Oscar-winning drama or an acclaimed novel.

we, from awesome.club, We decided to do it justice and share surprising and unknown facts about some of the most famous sculptures in the world.

The work was originally installed in Toronto. But now there are about a hundred copies around the world, many of them consecrated.

Due to the fact that the churches located next to the sculptures often help those in need, and the statues are quite realistic, they are sometimes mistaken for people who are actually sleeping. For example, during the severe frosts that hit Hamilton, Canada, some charitable people repeatedly called emergency services to help the unfortunate human being who had been on the streets for so long.

One of the most famous works of ancient Egyptian art is believed to greatly beautify the Pharaoh’s wife, because her face is very symmetrical. Except for her eyes: one of them just wasn’t represented. The archaeologist who found the statue claims that her eye was never present because there were no traces of carving or glue in the eye socket.

The exact reason why the sculptor left such a noticeable defect is unknown. Scientists have several versions, but none of them is commonly accepted.

The eye should have been added after Nefertiti’s death, because the sculpture with two eyes represented a happy person. The work was to be shown to others after the person depicted dies so that he or she “revives”.

The bust was a teaching tool and demonstrated how to prepare sculptures before representing the eyes.

Nefertiti lost popularity before the work was completed, and the master did not finish the bust.

The queen had an eye disease.

“Gänseliesel” is the symbol of students at the University of Göttingen, Germany, where it was customary to kiss the sculpture after classes started. As the tradition was extremely noisy and interfered with the habits of neighboring houses, it was officially forbidden to kiss the statue. The students, however, ignored the authorities’ instructions all the time.

In December 1989, sculptor Arturo Di Modica took his creation to the New York Stock Exchange building and left it to the city’s residents as a Christmas gift. Such events were new at the time, street art still did not have its current space. Therefore, many people became interested in the bull and started to go there especially to see the statue. But as Arturo placed it without official permission, the police confiscated it.

The bull was returned only after the public began to complain. However, it was reinstalled two blocks from the original location.

By the way, when the “Girl Without Fear” sculpture appeared in front of his bull, Di Modica was not too happy that it had been installed without his consent. Later, the girl’s statue was removed.

“Bird in Space” creator Constantin Brâncuși said the sculpture series symbolizes an escape from the world of everyday life. And let’s face it, this is a very suitable look for a game console.

The scaled-down copy of the monument was made by employees of the Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University, specifically to verify the monument’s aerodynamic performance. After the test, changes were made to the layout, which significantly improved the aerodynamics of the structure of the work.

The statue of the wolf that nurtured the founders of Rome is one of the most famous symbols of antiquity. She was believed to have appeared no later than the 1st century AD, although it is known that the figures of Romulus and Remus were cast in the 15th century. However, after recent research, it has been officially stated that the Loba was created between the years 1021 and 1153.

The only artwork placed on the moon currently represents all the dead astronauts. The names of those who died at the time of the monument’s installation are listed on a plaque next to it. But the author of the sculpture was not very happy when he discovered the name it was given and the meaning attached to it. In an interview, he said that the figure should stand and symbolize all humanity.

To bring a monolith weighing 1,500 tons to St. Petersburg, Russia, it was necessary to wait for the road to be covered with ice 1.5 m deep. Otherwise, the road would be destroyed by the exorbitant weight of the monolith. Even academics were involved in building the machines to calculate the best method of transport.

To overcome the last stretch of the route, a special jetty was built, the remains of which are still visible at low tide, near the “Snow Bay” in St. Petersburg.

One of London’s main attractions is Trafalgar Square. There are 4 pedestals there, which, according to the architect, are intended for famous British monuments. On three pedestals are now installed the figures of King George IV and Generals Henry Havelock and Charles Napier.

The fourth support sculptures change regularly. Seeing your finished creation is a contemporary artist’s dream. According to an unofficial opinion, the pedestal is intended for a statue in memory of Elizabeth II. Nelson Mandela, Marshal Park and Margaret Thatcher are also cited as potential candidates.

The statue of Nice was erected in honor of victory in a battle, on a cliff above the sea, so that it could be seen from afar. This fact and the similarity of expressive poses have given art historians great reason to believe that the authors, in creating the monument for installation at Mamaev Kurgan, were inspired, among others, by Nice.

This was the only case in which the famous sculptor indicated his authorship. He is believed to have done this after overhearing observers arguing over who created the statue.

In Liège Cathedral, Belgium, is one of the most famous artistic images representing the devil — “The Evil Genius”. The chained Lucifer embodies the awareness of his sins and remorse. The statue is not in vain considered an outstanding work of art, in fact it is a deliberately distorted copy of another sculpture.

The first “Evil Genius” was audacious and so attractive that it distracted the women who went to the Cathedral to pray. As a result, after much debate, the figure was replaced with a more acceptable one. To the new statue, chains and a bitten apple were added to his feet as symbols of punishment and sin, and his posture was changed to express remorse.

The most famous symbol of Brussels, also in Belgium, regularly receives new clothes. Since 1954, the Association of Friends of the “Manneken Pis” has carefully selected clothing by examining hundreds of options submitted each year. The costume change schedule sits on the railings near the statue, and each costume change has a colorful ceremony, performed to the accompaniment of an orchestra.

Clothes from the “Manneken Pis” are kept in a special museum, and the oldest exhibit in the collection dates from the 17th century.

This is done only out of necessity: lightning strikes the statue several times a year. Few people, even in Brazil, know that stone stocks are kept in order to restore the sculpture. Once, during a storm, the figure lost the tips of its middle and thumbs.

We are curious, which of these sculptures would you like to see live and why?