The sculptures I chose to include in this gallery range from traditional Ancient statues to some more modern ones. Overall, I was drawn to statues that seemed to speak to a certain theme that I found intriguing.
Before the Decisive Battle – Abraham Lincoln, Yuan Xikun, 2005/2006, From the collection of: Beijing Jintai Art Museum
This statue was sculpted by Yuan Xikun in 2005. One thing I liked about this statue was the confidence that Lincoln is representing. It's what first struck out to me. A good leader needs to embody a sort of unquestionable confidence, and I think Lincoln appears to be doing just this in the sculpture. According to the description of this piece, this statue was actually gifted to President Obama. That's pretty cool and I know I would sure put this thing on my desk if I was President!
The Genie of Victory, Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1532/1534, From the collection of: Palazzo Vecchio Museum
This statue was sculpted by Michelangelo in 1532. Like the Lincoln statue, I liked how this statue expressed a sort of utter confidence and power. Like most Ancient statues, this statue also appears to embody pure masculinity and ultimate badassery.
Olympic Suite, basketball, Rosa Serra, 1985, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
This sculpture was created in 1985 by Rosa Serra. I'd imagine it was created in conjunction with the Olympics (Serra also has many other sporting sculptures). I chose her basketball sculpture in particular because I could identify with the content. I felt that the swooping nature of these two players correctly represents what it feels like to actually play the game. There is a lot of jumping, twisting, and turning involved in order to get a good shot off. This sculpture does a good job of portraying these things.
Ludwig Van Beethoven, Yuan Xikun, 2004, From the collection of: Beijing Jintai Art Museum
This sculpture was created in 2004 by Yuan Xikun. If you have ever listened to Beethoven's 9th Symphony, this sculpture will hit home. The "confidence" I mentioned earlier in the Lincoln and Michelangelo sculpture is also apparent here. Beethoven's music is aggressive yet undeniably beautiful. I think the attitude that he appears to have in this sculpture portrays, again, utter confidence and power.
Justice in the Tribunal, Artus Quellinus, 1650 - 1652, From the collection of: Royal Palace Amsterdam
This last sculpture was created in 1650 by Artus Quelinus. I like this sculpture because it embodies a couple ideas that are still very much alive today. That is, "justice is blind."... or at least it should be. Whether it really is these days is a whole other story. Anyway, I like what this statue represents and the way these ideas are portrayed. You will find images of some version of this statue on many countries' courthouse doors, currency, and other official locations.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
